Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
Commission File Number 1-15132
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Southeast Airport Group   United Mexican States
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)   (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
Bosque de Alisos No. 47A – 4th Floor
Bosques de las Lomas
05120 México, D.F.
Mexico

(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Adolfo Castro Rivas
CFO and Head of Investor Relations
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
Bosque de Alisos No. 47A – 4
th Floor
Bosques de las Lomas
05120 México, D.F.
Mexico
Telephone: + 52 55 5284 0449
Fax: +52 55 5284 0407

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number
and address of company contact person)
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of each class:   Name of each exchange
on which registered
     
Series B Shares, without par value, or shares   New York Stock Exchange, Inc.*
     
American Depositary Shares, as evidenced by American
Depositary Receipts, or ADSs, each representing ten shares
  New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
*Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the   Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: N/A
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
Series B Shares, without par value: 277,050,000
Series BB Shares, without par value: 22,950,000
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes þ No o
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this
filing: U.S. GAAP o             IFRS o             Other þ
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 o Item 18 þ
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
 
 

 

 


 

         
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 Exhibit 4.6
 Exhibit 12.1
 Exhibit 12.2
 Exhibit 13.1

 

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PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Item 3. Key Information
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
We publish our financial statements in Mexican pesos. Pursuant to Financial Reporting Standards (Normas de Informacion Financiera) accepted in Mexico, or Mexican FRS, financial data for all periods in the financial statements included in Items 3, 5 and 8 and, unless otherwise indicated, throughout this Form 20-F have been restated in constant pesos as of December 31, 2007.
This Form 20-F contains translations of certain peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. These translations should not be construed as representations that the peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from Mexican pesos at an exchange rate of Ps. 10.9157 to U.S.$1.00, the exchange rate for pesos on January 2, 2008, as published by Banco de Mexico, the Mexican Central Bank. On June 19, 2008 the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s noon buying rate for Mexican pesos was Ps. 10.3180 to U.S.$1.00.
The following tables present a summary of our consolidated financial information and that of our subsidiaries for each of the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our financial statements, including the notes thereto. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with Mexican FRS, which differs in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of our net income and total stockholders’ equity is also provided in this summary financial data. Note 16 to our financial statements provides a description of the principal differences between Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to our business.

 

 


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Mexican FRS provides for the recognition of certain effects of inflation by restating non-monetary assets and non-monetary liabilities using the Mexican National Consumer Price Index, restating the components of stockholders’ equity using the Mexican National Consumer Price Index and recording gains or losses in purchasing power from holding monetary liabilities or assets. Mexican FRS requires the restatement of all financial statements to constant Mexican pesos as of the date of the more recent balance sheet presented. Our audited financial statements and all other financial information contained herein are accordingly presented in constant pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 unless otherwise noted.
References in this annual report on Form 20-F to “dollars,” “U.S. dollars” or “U.S.$” are to the lawful currency of the United States of America. References in this annual report on Form 20-F to “pesos” or “Ps.” are to the lawful currency of Mexico. We publish our financial statements in pesos.
This annual report on Form 20-F contains references to “workload units,” which are units measuring an airport’s passenger traffic volume and cargo volume. A workload unit currently is equivalent to one terminal passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo.
The summary financial and other information set forth below reflects our financial condition, results of operations and certain operating data since the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

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    Year ended December 31,  
    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  
    (in thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007) (1)   (thousands of
dollars)
(2)
 
Income statement data:
                                               
Mexican FRS:
                                               
Revenues:
                                               
Aeronautical services(3)
  Ps. 1,368,180     Ps. 1,662,873     Ps. 1,577,295     Ps. 1,647,594     Ps. 1,890,950     $ 173,232  
Non-aeronautical services(4)
    352,969       541,582       650,889       675,530       894,941       81,987  
 
                                   
Total revenues
    1,721,149       2,204,455       2,228,184       2,323,124       2,785,891       255,219  
Operating expenses:
                                               
Cost of services
    (433,895 )     (521,383 )     (602,436 )     (665,275 )     (743,642 )     (68,126 )
General and administrative expenses
    (142,010 )     (117,984 )     (110,907 )     (101,156 )     (104,019 )     (9,529 )
Technical assistance fee(5)
    (54,129 )     (74,697 )     (71,721 )     (73,707 )     (91,945 )     (8,423 )
Government Concession fee(6)
    (86,027 )     (110,181 )     (111,409 )     (116,007 )     (139,294 )     (12,761 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (416,166 )     (445,746 )     (468,653 )     (506,124 )     (540,821 )     (49,545 )
 
                                   
Net comprehensive financing
    28,415       (32,026 )     24,558       15,786       15,144       1,387  
Non-ordinary items(7)
    (21,029 )     (19,762 )     (9,678 )     (16,242 )     (2,385 )     (218 )
 
                                   
Income before taxes
    596,308       882,676       877,938       860,399       1,178,929       108,004  
Provision for income taxes
    (272,186 )     (205,498 )     (269,893 )     (312,432 )     (656,568 )     (60,149 )
 
                                   
Net income
    324,122       677,178       608,045       547,967       522,361       47,855  
Basic and diluted earnings per share(10)
    1.08       2.26       2.03       1.83       1.74       0.16  
Basic and diluted earnings per ADS (unaudited)(8)
    10.80       22.57       20.27       18.27       17.41       1.60  
U.S. GAAP:
                                               
Revenues
    1,721,149       2,204,455       2,228,184       2,319,110       2,771,216       253,874  
Operating income
    674,877       937,944       819,554       862,234       1,253,490       114,834  
Net income
    316,184       277,195       487,938       431,597       257,274       23,569  
Basic and diluted earnings per share(10)
    1.05       0.92       1.63       1.44       0.86       0.08  
Basic and diluted earnings per ADS (unaudited)(8)
    10.54       9.24       16.26       14.39       8.58       0.79  
Dividends per share(9)
    0.61       0.65       0.69       0.73       0.77       0.07  
Other Operating Data (Unaudited):
                                               
Total passengers (thousands of passengers)
    12,190.0       13,897.1       13,321.3       13,779.9       16,238.8       16,238.8  
Total air traffic movements (thousands of movements)
    198.0       219.8       209.9       220.5       262.3       262.3  
Total revenues per passenger (in pesos or dollars)
    141.2       158.6       167.3       168.6       171.6       15.7  

 

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    As of and for the year ended December 31,  
    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  
    (in thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007) (1)     (thousands of
dollars)
(2)
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                               
Mexican FRS:
                                               
Cash and marketable securities
  Ps. 833,644     Ps. 1,297,829     Ps. 1,655,728     Ps. 1,288,353     Ps. 1,925,697     $ 176,415  
Total current assets
    1,199,094       1,601,012       2,006,628       1,702,364       2,533,610       232,107  
Airport concessions, net
    9,017,278       8,759,145       8,501,010       8,242,778       8,037,900       736,361  
Rights to use airport facilities, net
    2,476,682       2,396,700       2,265,447       2,246,711       2,189,975       200,626  
Total assets
    14,061,646       14,564,007       15,183,527       15,503,054       16,676,081       1,527,715  
Current liabilities
    182,995       213,897       380,966       254,564       317,002       29,041  
Total liabilities
    744,971       812,426       1,120,341       1,199,766       2,170,554       198,847  
Capital Stock
    12,799,204       12,799,204       12,799,204       12,799,204       12,799,204       1,172,550  
Net equity/stockholders’ equity
    13,316,675       13,751,581       14,063,186       14,303,288       14,505,527       1,328,868  
U.S. GAAP:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
    508,760       1,062,128       1,159,233       859,857       1,870,675       171,375  
Total current assets
    1,199,093       1,601,012       2,054,071       1,727,121       2,542,644       232,935  
Airport concessions, net
    216,422       154,610       92,810       30,916       22,376       2,050  
Rights to use airport facilities
    1,945,431       1,884,085       1,770,376       1,717,356       1,671,325       153,112  
Total assets
    7,614,446       7,727,788       8,182,141       8,273,993       8,579,690       785,995  
Total liabilities
    180,311       213,613       387,534       266,370       546,042       50,023  
Capital Stock
    6,989,281       6,989,281       6,989,281       6,989,281       6,989,281       640,296  
Net equity/stockholders’ equity
    7,434,135       7,514,175       7,794,607       8,007,623       8,033,648       735,972  
 
                                               
Statement of Changes in Financial Position:
                                               
Mexican FRS:
                                               
Resources provided by operating activities
    770,519       1,252,649       1,336,897       1,070,404       1,622,626       148,651  
 
                                               
Resources used in financing activities
    (150,595 )     (242,273 )     (296,442 )     (307,865 )     (320,122 )     (29,327 )
Resources used in investing activities
    (392,512 )     (546,189 )     (682,558 )     (1,129,915 )     (665,160 )     (60,936 )
 
                                               
Increase (decrease) in cash and
marketable securities
    227,412       464,187       357,897       (367,376 )     637,344       58,388  
Cash Flow Data:
                                               
U.S. GAAP:
                                               
Cash flow provided by operating activities
    853,796       1,173,908       1,300,549       1,082,433       1,726,341       158,152  
Cash flow used in financing activities
    (277,325 )     (269,187 )     (296,442 )     (307,865 )     (320,122 )     (29,327 )
 
                                               
Cash flow used in investing activities
    (650,401 )     (367,168 )     (872,745 )     (1,028,787 )     (364,250 )     (33,369 )
Effect of inflation on cash and
cash equivalents
    46,118       15,818       (34,259 )     (45,157 )     (31,151 )     (2,854 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents
    (27,813 )     553,371       97,103       (299,376 )     1,010,818       92,602  
 
     
(1)   Per share peso amounts are expressed in pesos (not thousands of pesos).
 
(2)   Translated into dollars at the rate of Ps. 10.9157 per U.S. dollar, the Mexican Central Bank exchange rate for Mexican pesos at January 2, 2008. Per share dollar amounts are expressed in dollars (not thousands of dollars).
 
(3)   Revenues from aeronautical services include those earned from passenger charges, landing charges, aircraft parking charges, charges for airport security services and charges for use of passenger walkways.
 
(4)   Revenues from non-aeronautical services are earned from the leasing of space in our airports, access fees collected from third parties providing services at our airports and miscellaneous other sources.
 
(5)   Since April 19, 1999, we have paid ITA a technical assistance fee under the technical assistance agreement entered into in connection with the purchase by Inversiones y Tecnicas Aeroportuarias, S.A. de C.V. (“ITA”) of its Series BB shares. This fee is described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Arrangements with ITA.”
 
(6)   Each of our subsidiary concession holders is required to pay a concession fee to the Mexican government under the Mexican Federal Duties Law. The concession fee is currently 5% of each concession holder’s gross annual revenues from the use of public domain assets pursuant to the terms of its concession.
 
(7)   Non-ordinary items refers to restructuring and contract termination fees and loss on natural disasters. On January 1, 2007, we adopted Mexican FRS B-3,“Statement of Income” which incorporates, among other things, a new approach to classifying income and expenses as ordinary and non-ordinary, eliminates special and extraordinary items and establishes employees’ profit sharing as an ordinary expense and not as tax. Accordingly, our financial statements for 2006 and 2005 have also been reclassified to conform the current year presentation. Such reclassifications consisted of 1) Ps. 16,242 and Ps. 9,678, respectively, reclassified from extraordinary items to non-ordinary items, and 2) Ps. 3,904 and Ps. 2,557, respectively, reclassified from provision for income taxes and employees’ statutory profit sharing to general and administrative expenses.
 
(8)   Based on the ratio of 10 Series B shares per ADS.
 
(9)   Income tax was payable on the dividends because the distribution was not made from our after-tax earnings account.
 
(10)   Shares outstanding for all periods presented were 300,000,000.

 

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EXCHANGE RATES
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low, average and period-end, free-market exchange rate expressed in pesos per U.S. dollar. The average annual rates presented in the following table were calculated using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant period. The data provided in this table is based on noon buying rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for cable transfers in Mexican pesos. We have not restated the rates in constant currency units. All amounts are stated in pesos. We make no representation that the Mexican peso amounts referred to in this annual report could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at any particular rate or at all.
                                 
    Exchange Rate  
Year Ended December 31,   High     Low     Period End     Average(1)  
 
                               
2003
    11.41       10.11       11.24       10.85  
 
                               
2004
    11.64       10.81       11.15       11.31  
 
                               
2005
    11.41       10.41       10.63       10.89  
 
                               
2006
    11.46       10.43       10.80       10.90  
 
                               
2007
    11.27       10.66       10.92       10.93  
 
December 2007
    10.94       10.80       10.92       10.86  
 
                               
2008
                               
 
                               
January 2008
    10.98       10.83       10.83       10.91  
February 2008
    10.83       10.68       10.72       10.77  
March 2008
    10.85       10.65       10.68       10.73  
April 2008
    10.60       10.45       10.51       10.52  
May 2008
    10.57       10.31       10.33       10.43  
 
     
(1)   Average of month-end rates or daily rates, as applicable.
 
Source:  Federal Reserve noon buying rate.
Except for the period from September through December 1982, during a liquidity crisis, the Mexican Central Bank has consistently made foreign currency available to Mexican private-sector entities (such as us) to meet their foreign currency obligations. Nevertheless, in the event of renewed shortages of foreign currency, there can be no assurance that foreign currency would continue to be available to private-sector companies or that foreign currency needed by us to service foreign currency obligations or to import goods could be purchased in the open market without substantial additional cost.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the peso and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of securities traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange, and, as a result, will likely affect the market price of the ADSs. Such fluctuations will also affect the U.S. dollar conversion by the depositary of any cash dividends paid in pesos.
On December 31, 2007, the Federal Reserve noon buying rate was Ps. 10.9157 per U.S.$1.00. On June 19, 2008, the Federal Reserve noon buying rate was Ps. 10.3180 per U.S. $1.00.
For a discussion of the effects of fluctuations in the exchange rates between the peso and the U.S. dollar, see “Item 10. Additional Information—Exchange Controls.”

 

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RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to Our Operations
Hurricanes and other natural disasters have adversely affected our business in the past and could do so again in the future.
The southeast region of Mexico, like other Caribbean destinations, experiences hurricanes, particularly during the third quarter of each year. Portions of the southeast region also experience earthquakes from time to time. Natural disasters may impede operations, damage infrastructure necessary to our operations and/or adversely affect the destinations served by our airports. Any of these events could reduce our passenger traffic volume. The occurrence of natural disasters in the destinations we serve has adversely affected, and could in the future adversely affect, our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition. Some experts believe that climate change due to global warming could increase the frequency and severity of hurricanes in the future. We have insured the physical facilities at our airports against damage caused by natural disasters, accidents or other similar events, but do not have insurance covering losses due to resulting business interruption. Moreover, should losses occur, there can be no assurance that losses caused by damages to the physical facilities will not exceed the pre-established limits on the policies.
On October 21, 2005, Hurricane Wilma struck the Yucatan Peninsula, causing severe damage to the infrastructure of the Cancun and Cozumel airports and to our administrative office building in Cancun. Cancun and Cozumel airports were closed for approximately 62 hours and 42 hours, respectively, and airport operations were disrupted for several weeks thereafter. The hurricane also inflicted extensive damage on the hotel and tourist infrastructure in Cancun, the Mayan Riviera region and Cozumel, which led to sharply reduced air passenger traffic at our airports, especially in the fourth quarter of 2005 and during the first half of 2006. During the fourth quarter of 2005, our passenger traffic decreased 33.1%, and revenues and operating income fell 32.6% and 86.5%, respectively, relative to the same period in 2004, reflecting the decline in passenger traffic. Tourism in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera has by now largely recovered from Hurricane Wilma, and tourism in Cozumel continues to recover.
Other hurricanes, such as Hurricane Dean in August 2007, Hurricane Emily in July 2005 and Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, have also affected our operations.
Increases in international petroleum prices could reduce demand for air travel.
International prices of fuel, which represents a significant cost for airlines using our airports, have significantly increased over the past year and may be subject to further increases resulting from a reduction in output of petroleum, voluntary or otherwise, by oil-producing countries, other market forces, a general increase in international hostilities, or any future terrorist attacks. Such increases in airlines’ costs have resulted in higher airline ticket prices and may decrease demand for air travel generally, thereby having an adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.

 

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Our business could be adversely affected by a downturn in the U.S. economy.
In 2007, 66.7% of the international passengers served by our airports arrived or departed on flights originating in or departing to the United States. Thus, our business is dependent on the condition of the U.S. economy, and is particularly influenced by trends in the United States relating to leisure travel, consumer spending and international tourism. Events and conditions affecting the U.S. economy may adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition. The U.S. economy has recently experienced and continues to experience an economic slowdown that may negatively affect our results of operations. If this slowdown becomes a prolonged economic crisis, it will likely have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The loss of one or more of our key customers could result in a loss of a significant amount of our revenues.
The global airline industry has recently experienced and continues to experience significant financial difficulties, marked by the filing for bankruptcy protection of several carriers and recent warnings regarding industry profitability, largely as a result of higher oil prices. On June 2, 2008, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised its 2008 financial forecast for the air transport industry downwards to a loss of US$2.3 billion, and said losses for the industry could be as high as US$6.1 billion. Our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if we do not continue to generate comparable portions of our revenue from our key customers, including Mexicana (which accounted for 7.12% of our revenues in 2007), Aeromexico (4.94% of our revenues in 2007), American Airlines (which accounted for 4.74% of our revenues in 2007), and Continental Airlines (which accounted for 4.49% of our revenues in 2007). We do not have contracts with any airlines that obligate them to continue providing service to our airports and we can offer no assurance that competing airlines would seek to increase their flight schedules if any of our key customers reduced their use of our airports. We expect that we will continue to generate a significant portion of our revenues from a relatively small number of airlines in the foreseeable future. Our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if we do not continue to generate comparable portions of our revenue from our key customers.
In addition, Mexican law prohibits an international airline from transporting passengers from one Mexican location to another (unless the flight originated outside Mexico), which limits the number of airlines providing domestic service in Mexico. Accordingly, we expect to continue to generate a significant portion of our revenues from domestic travel from a limited number of airlines.
Our business is highly dependent upon revenues from Cancun International Airport.
In 2007, Ps. 2,108.1 million or 75.7% respectively, of our revenues were derived from operations at Cancun International Airport. During 2006 and 2007, Cancun International Airport represented 70.6% and 69.8%, respectively, of our passenger traffic and 44.1% and 43.5%, respectively, of our air traffic movements. The desirability of Cancun as a tourist destination and the level of tourism to the area is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that tourism in Cancun will not decline in the future. Any event or condition affecting Cancun International Airport or the areas that it serves could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.

 

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The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks had a severe impact on the international air travel industry and adversely affected our business. Similar events may do so again in the future.
The events of September 11, 2001 resulted in a significant decline in passenger traffic worldwide and future terrorist attacks could result in similar declines.
The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 had a severe adverse impact on the air travel industry, particularly on U.S. carriers and carriers operating international service to and from the United States. Airline traffic in the United States fell precipitously after the attacks. In Mexico, airline and passenger traffic decreased substantially, although the decrease was less severe than in the United States. Our airports experienced a significant decline in passenger traffic following September 11, 2001. Any future terrorists attacks, whether or not involving aircraft, will likely adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.
Security enhancements have resulted in increased costs and may expose us to greater liability.
The air travel business is susceptible to increased costs resulting from enhanced security and higher insurance and fuel costs. Following the events of September 11, we reinforced security at our airports. For a description of the security measures that we adopted, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Non-Aeronautical Services—Airport Security.” While enhanced security at our airports has not resulted in a significant increase in our operating costs to date, we may be required to adopt additional security measures in the future. In addition, our general liability insurance premiums for 2002 increased substantially relative to our 2001 premiums and may rise again in the future. Since October 2001, we carry a U.S.$50 million insurance policy covering liabilities resulting from terrorist acts. Because our insurance polices do not cover losses resulting from war in any amount or from terrorism for amounts greater than U.S.$50 million, we could incur significant costs if we were to be directly affected by events of this nature. While governments in other countries have agreed to indemnify airlines for liabilities they might incur resulting from terrorist attacks, the Mexican government has not done so and has given no indication of any intention to do the same. In addition, fuel prices and supplies, which constitute a significant cost for airlines using our airports, may be subject to increases resulting from any future terrorist attacks, a general increase in international hostilities or a reduction in output of fuel, voluntary or otherwise, by oil producing countries. Such increases in airlines’ costs have resulted in higher airline ticket prices and decreased demand for air travel generally, thereby having an adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations. In addition, because a substantial majority of our international flights involve travel to the U.S., we may be required to comply with security directives of the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority, in addition to the directives of Mexican aviation authorities.
Mexican aviation authorities recently adopted International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines requiring checked baggage on all international commercial flights beginning in January 2006 to undergo a new comprehensive screening process. As of January 2006, we implemented the new screening system for all departing international flights, and we implemented the same system for domestic flights as of July 1, 2006. Although airlines, rather than holders of airport concessions, are responsible for baggage screening under Mexican law, we decided to purchase, install and operate the new screening equipment and supply this service to the airlines to facilitate their compliance with the new policy. This could expose us to liability relating to the purchase, installation and operation of the equipment, or require us to purchase, install and operate additional equipment, if, among other possibilities, the new screening procedures were to fail to detect or intercept any attempted terrorist act occurring or originating at our airports. We cannot estimate the cost to us of any such liability, if any were to arise.

 

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International events could have a negative impact on international air travel and our business.
Historically, a substantial majority of our revenues have been aeronautical services, and our principal source of aeronautical revenues is passenger charges. Passenger charges are payable for each passenger (other than diplomats, infants, transfer and transit passengers) departing from the airport terminals we operate, collected by the airlines and paid to us. In 2007, passenger charges represented 52.0% of our consolidated revenues.
International events such as the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the war in Iraq and public health crises such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (or “SARS”) have disrupted the frequency and pattern of air travel worldwide in recent years. Because our revenues are largely dependent on the level of passenger traffic in our airports, any general increase of hostilities relating to reprisals against terrorist organizations, further conflict in the Middle East, outbreaks of health epidemics such as SARS, Avian influenza or other events of general international concern (and any related economic impact of such events) could result in decreased passenger traffic and increased costs to the air travel industry and, as a result, could cause a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.
Our revenues are highly dependent on levels of air traffic, which depend in part on factors beyond our control.
Our revenues are closely linked to passenger and cargo traffic volumes and the number of air traffic movements at our airports. These factors directly determine our revenues from aeronautical services and indirectly determine our revenues from non-aeronautical services. Passenger and cargo traffic volumes and air traffic movements depend in part on many factors beyond our control, including economic conditions in Mexico and the United States, the political situation in Mexico and elsewhere in the world, the attractiveness of our airports relative to that of other competing airports, fluctuations in petroleum prices (which can have a negative impact on traffic as a result of fuel surcharges or other measures adopted by airlines in response to increased fuel costs) and changes in regulatory policies applicable to the aviation industry. Any decreases in air traffic to or from our airports as a result of factors such as these could adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.
Our business is highly dependent upon the operations of Mexico City Area Airports.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, approximately 84.3%, 80.6% and 71.1% respectively, of our domestic passengers flew to or from our airports via Mexico City International Airport. As a result, our domestic traffic is highly dependent upon the operations of Mexico City International Airport. Mexico City International Airport recently opened Terminal 2 with 23 boarding gates with boarding bridges and three remote boarding gates served by buses, thus increasing its capacity. However, we cannot assure you that the airport’s operations will not decrease in the future, or that this capacity increase will result in an increase in passenger traffic at our airports.
Additionally, Toluca International Airport, which is located approximately 64 km from Mexico City, has recently emerged as a complementary airport to Mexico City International Aiport. In 2007, approximately 10.6% of our domestic passengers flew to or from our airports via Toluca International Airport. Any event or condition that adversely affects Mexico City International Airport or Toluca International Airport could adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.

 

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Competition from other tourist destinations could adversely affect our business.
One of the principal factors affecting our results of operations and business is the number of passengers using our airports. The number of passengers using our airports may vary as a result of factors beyond our control, including the level of tourism in Mexico. In addition, our passenger traffic volume may be adversely affected by the attractiveness, affordability and accessibility of competing tourist destinations in Mexico, such as Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, or elsewhere, such as Puerto Rico, Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean island and Central American destinations. The attractiveness of the destinations we serve is also likely to be affected by perceptions of travelers as to the safety and political and social stability of Mexico. There can be no assurance that tourism levels in the future will match or exceed current levels.
Revenues from passenger charges are not secured, and we may not be able to collect amounts invoiced in the event of the insolvency of one of its principal airline customers.
In recent years, many airlines have reported substantial losses. Our revenues from passenger charges from our principal airline customers are not secured by a bond or any other collateral. Thus, in the event of the insolvency of any of these airlines, we would not be assured of collecting any amounts invoiced to that airline in respect of passenger charges.
If a change in relations with our labor force should occur, such a change could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
Although we currently believe we maintain good relations with our labor force, if any conflicts with our employees were to arise in the future, including with our unionized employees (which accounted for approximately 39.2% of our total employees as of December 31, 2007), resulting events such as strikes or other disruptions that could arise with respect to our workforce could have a negative impact on our results of operations.
The operations of our airports may be disrupted due to the actions of third parties beyond our control.
As is the case with most airports, the operation of our airports is largely dependent on the services of third parties, such as air traffic control authorities and airlines. We are also dependent upon the Mexican government or entities of the government for provision of services such as energy, supply of fuel to aircraft at our airports and immigration services for our international passengers. We are not responsible for and cannot control the services provided by these parties. Any disruption in or adverse consequence resulting from their services, including a work stoppage or other similar event, may have a material adverse effect on the operation of our airports and on our results of operations.
Fernando Chico Pardo, through his own investment vehicles and his 51% interest in Inversiones y Tecnicas Aeroportuarias, S.A. de C.V., or ITA, has a significant influence as a shareholder and over our management, and his interests may differ from those of other stockholders.
Following tender offers in the United States and Mexico for our Series B shares that expired on June 19, 2007, Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional, S.A. de C.V. and Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional II, S.A. de C.V., entities indirectly owned and controlled by Fernando Chico Pardo, now own 19.5% of our capital stock in the form of Series B shares. The results of the tender offers are described in greater detail in “Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders—Tender Offer by Fernando Chico Pardo.”

 

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In addition, ITA, an entity owned 51% by Mr. Chico Pardo and 49% by Copenhagen Airports A/S (“Copenhagen Airports”), holds Series BB shares representing 7.65% of our capital stock. These Series BB shares provide it with special management rights. For example, pursuant to our bylaws, ITA is entitled to present the board of directors the name or names of the candidates for appointment as chief executive officer, to remove our chief executive officer and to appoint and remove one half of the executive officers, and to elect two members of our board of directors. ITA also has the right to veto certain actions requiring approval of our stockholders. Our bylaws also provide ITA veto rights with respect to certain corporate actions so long as its Series BB shares represent at least 7.65% of our capital stock. Special rights granted to ITA are more fully discussed in “Item 10. Additional Information” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”
As a result of this ownership, Mr. Chico Pardo, who is also the chairman of our board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer, is able to exert a significant influence over our management and matters requiring the approval of our stockholders. The interests of Mr. Chico Pardo, Copenhagen Airports and ITA may differ from those of our other stockholders, and there can be no assurance that any of Mr. Chico Pardo, Copenhagen Airports or ITA will exercise its rights in ways that favor the interests of our other stockholders. Furthermore, this concentration of ownership by Mr. Chico Pardo and the special rights granted to ITA may have the effect of impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving ASUR.
Some of our board members and stockholders have business relationships that may generate conflicts of interest.
Some of our board members or stockholders may have outside business relationships that generate conflicts of interest. For example, Fernando Chico Pardo, the chairman of our board of directors, our principal stockholder, is also a member of the board of directors of Grupo Posadas, S.A. de C.V., a company that holds an interest in Mexicana Airlines. Mexicana is our largest customer, accounting for 10.36%, 9.14% and 7.12% of our revenues in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Conflicts may arise between the interests of these or other individuals in their capacities as our shareholders and/or directors, on the one hand, and their outside business interests on the other. There can be no assurance that any conflicts of interest will not have an adverse effect on our shareholders.
Our operations are at greater risk of disruption due to the dependence of most of our airports on a single commercial runway.
As is the case with many other domestic and international airports around the world, most of our airports, including Cancun International Airport, have only one commercial aviation runway. While we seek to keep our runways in good working order and to conduct scheduled maintenance during off-peak hours, we cannot assure you that the operation of our runways will not be disrupted due to required maintenance or repairs. In addition, our runways may require unscheduled repair or maintenance due to natural disasters, aircraft accidents and other factors that are beyond our control. The closure of any runway for a significant period of time could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.

 

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Due to a significant increase in air traffic operations at Cancun International Airport, we have begun construction on a second runway, which we expect to complete in 2009. If we are unable to complete the construction or commence operation of this second runway for any reason, it could limit the growth of our business and adversely affect our results of operations, future prospects or financial condition.
We are exposed to risk related to construction projects.
The building requirements under our master development programs could encounter delays or cause us to exceed our budgeted costs for such projects, which could limit our ability to expand capacity at our airports, increase our operating or capital expenses and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition. Such delays or budgetary overruns also could limit our ability to comply with our master development programs.
We are exposed to risks inherent to the operation of airports.
We are obligated to protect the public at our airports and to reduce the risk of accidents. As with any company dealing with members of the public, we must implement certain measures for the protection of the public, such as fire safety in public spaces, design and maintenance of car parking facilities and access routes to meet road safety rules. We are also obligated to take certain measures related to aviation activities, such as maintenance, management and supervision of aviation facilities, rescue and fire-fighting services for aircraft, measurement of runway friction coefficients and measures to control the threat from birds and other wildlife on airport sites. These obligations could increase our exposure to liability to third parties for personal injury or property damage resulting from our operations.
Our insurance policies may not provide sufficient coverage against all liabilities.
While we seek to insure all reasonable risks, we can offer no assurance that our insurance policies would cover all of our liabilities in the event of an accident, terrorist attack or other incident. The markets for airport insurance and construction insurance are limited, and a change in coverage policy by the insurance companies involved could reduce our ability to obtain and maintain adequate or cost-effective coverage. A certain number of our assets cannot, by their nature, be covered by property insurance (notably aircraft movement areas, and certain civil engineering works and infrastructure). In addition, we do not currently carry business interruption insurance.

 

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Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business
The price regulatory system applicable to our airports imposes maximum rates for each airport.
The price regulatory system does not guarantee that our consolidated results of operations, or that the results of operations of any airport, will be profitable.
The system of price regulation applicable to our airports establishes an annual maximum rate for each airport, which is the maximum annual amount of revenues per work load unit (which is equal to one passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo) that we may earn at that airport from services subject to price regulation. The maximum rates for our airports have been determined for each year through December 31, 2008. For a discussion of the framework for establishing our maximum rates and the application of these rates, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Price Regulation.” Under the terms of our concessions, there is no guarantee that the results of operations of any airport will be profitable.
Our concessions provide that an airport’s maximum rates will be adjusted periodically for inflation. Although we are entitled to request additional adjustments to an airport’s maximum rates under certain circumstances, including the amendment of certain provisions of the Mexican Airport Law, our concessions provide that such a request will be approved only if the Ministry of Communications and Transportation determines that certain events specified in our concessions have occurred. The circumstances under which we are entitled to an adjustment are described under “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Price Regulation—Special Adjustments to Maximum Rates.” There can be no assurance that any such request would be made or granted.
Our results of operations may be adversely affected by required efficiency adjustments to our maximum rates.
In addition, our maximum rates are subject to annual efficiency adjustments, which have the effect of reducing the maximum rates for each year to reflect projected efficiency improvements. For the five-year term ending December 31, 2008, an annual efficiency adjustment factor of 0.75% was established by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Future annual efficiency adjustments will be determined by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation in connection with the setting of each airport’s maximum rates every five years. For a description of these efficiency adjustments, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Price Regulation—Methodology for Determining Future Maximum Rates.” We cannot assure you that we will achieve efficiency improvements sufficient to allow us to maintain or increase our operating income as a result of the progressive decrease in each airport’s maximum rate.

 

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Our maximum rates and annual efficiency adjustments will be renegotiated in 2008.
This year, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation will set our maximum rates and annual efficiency adjustments for 2009 through 2014. For a discussion of the framework for establishing our maximum rates and the application of these rates, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Price Regulation.” We are unable to predict what our maximum rates or annual efficiency adjustments will be for this period, and we cannot assure you that any changes to our maximum rates or annual efficiency adjustments for this period will not have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
The regulatory framework we are subject to could be changed in a way that adversely affects us due to a report issued by the Chairman of the Mexican Competition Commission.
On October 1, 2007, the Chairman of Federal Competition Commission (Comisión Federal de Competencia, or the “Competition Commission”) released an independent report on the competitiveness of Mexico’s airports relative to each other and to international airports. For a description of this report, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects — Recent Developments - Report of the Federal Competition Commission on Mexico’s Airports.” After the Competition Commission Chairman’s report was released, a bill was introduced in Mexico’s Congress to amend the Mexican Airport Law. The bill proposes to establish an autonomous Federal Airport Services Commission (Comision Federal de Servicios Aeroportuarios) which would be charged with regulating airport service providers; require the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transporte, or the “Ministry of Communications and Transportation” to consult with the Competition Commission on policy decisions and the granting of concessions; allow the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to consider economic efficiency and reductions in user costs when granting airport concessions; permit the Federal Airport Services Commission to conduct auctions for take-off and landing slots at saturated airports; allow the Federal Airport Services Commission to require equal participation by investors and Mexican businesses in providing regulated services and to require airports to obtain an annual accreditation. We cannot predict whether these amendments will be adopted or, if adopted, the impact they would have on us, including whether these amendments would result in a change to our maximum rates.
Changes to Mexican laws, regulations and decrees applicable to us could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
The Mexican government has recently implemented changes, and may implement additional reforms, to the tax laws applicable to Mexican companies including ASUR. The terms of our concessions do not exempt us from any changes to the Mexican tax laws. Should the Mexican government implement changes to the tax laws that result in our having significantly higher income or asset tax liability, we will be required to pay the higher amounts due pursuant to any such changes, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, changes to the Mexican constitution or to any other Mexican laws could also have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

 

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Our concessions may be terminated under various circumstances, some of which are beyond our control.
We operate each of our airports under 50-year concessions granted as of 1998 by the Mexican government. A concession may be terminated for a variety of reasons. For example, a concession may be terminated if we fail to make the committed investments required by the terms of that concession. In addition, in the event that we exceed the applicable maximum rate at an airport in any year, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is entitled to reduce the applicable maximum rate at that airport for the subsequent year and assess a penalty. Violations of certain terms of a concession (including violations for exceeding the applicable maximum rate) can result in termination only if sanctions have been imposed for violation of the relevant term at least three times. Violations of other terms of a concession can result in the immediate termination of the concession. We would face similar sanctions for violations of the Mexican Airport Law or its regulations. Although we believe we are currently complying with the principal requirements of the Mexican Airport Law and its regulations, we are not in compliance with certain requirements under the regulations. These violations could result in fines or other sanctions being assessed by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, and are among the violations that could result in termination of a concession if they occur three or more times. For a description of the consequences that may result from the violation of various terms of our concessions, the Mexican Airport Law or its regulations, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Penalties and Termination and Revocation of Concessions and Concession Assets.” Under applicable Mexican law and the terms of our concessions, our concessions may also be made subject to additional conditions, which we may be unable to meet. Failure to meet these conditions may also result in fines, other sanctions and the termination of the concessions.
In addition, the Mexican government may terminate one or more of our concessions at any time through reversion (rescate), if, in accordance with applicable Mexican law, it determines that it is required by national security or in the public interest to do so. In the event of a reversion (rescate) of the public domain assets that are the subject of our concessions, such assets would revert to the Mexican government and the Mexican government under Mexican law would be required to compensate us, taking into consideration investments made and depreciation of the relevant assets, but not the value of the assets subject to the concessions, based on the methodology set forth in the reversion (rescate) resolution issued by the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation. There can be no assurance that we will receive compensation equivalent to the value of our investment in our concessions and related assets in the event of such a reversion (rescate).
In the event of war, natural disaster, grave disruption of the public order or an imminent threat to national security, internal peace or the economy, the Mexican government may carry out a requisition (requisa — step-in rights) with respect to our airports. The step-in rights may be exercised by the Mexican government as long as the circumstances warrant. In all cases, except international war, the Mexican government is required to indemnify us for damages and lost profits (daños y perjuicios) caused by such requisition, calculated at their real value (valor real); provided that if we were to contest the amount of such indemnification, the amount of the indemnity with respect to damages (daños) shall be fixed by expert appraisers appointed by us and the Mexican government, and the amount of the indemnity with respect to lost profits (perjuicios) shall be calculated taking into consideration the average net income during the year immediately prior to the requisition. In the event of requisition due to international war, the Mexican government would not be obligated to indemnify us.

 

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In the event that any one of our concessions is terminated, whether through reversion (rescate) or otherwise, our other concessions may also be terminated. Thus, the loss of any concession would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. For a discussion of events which may lead to a termination of a concession, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Penalties and Termination and Revocation of Concessions and Concession Assets.” Moreover, we are required to continue operating each of our nine airports for the duration of our concessions, even if one or more of them are unprofitable.
The Mexican government could grant new concessions that compete with our airports, including the Cancun International Airport.
The Mexican government could grant additional concessions to operate existing government managed airports, or authorize the construction of new airports, that could compete directly with our airports. The Mexican government has announced that it intends, at some point in the future, to grant a concession for a new airport in the Mayan Riviera through a public bidding process. The bidding process is expected to take place during the second half of 2008. The Mexican state of Quintana Roo has formed a majority state-owned company to seek any such concession that may be granted. Currently, the Mayan Riviera is served primarily by Cancun International Airport. We have no further details on the construction or projected opening of the airport and are unable to predict the effect that it may have on our passenger traffic or operating results if the project is successfully carried out. Any competition from this or other such airports could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Generally, the grant of a concession for a new or existing airport is required to be made pursuant to a public bidding process. In the event that a competing concession is offered in a public bidding process, it is currently our intention to participate in such process, but we cannot assure you that we will participate, that we would be successful if we did participate or that the Federal Competition Commission will permit us to participate in the bidding process. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Mexican government can grant concessions without conducting a public bidding process. Furthermore, the Federal Competition Commission has the power, under certain circumstances, to reject awards of concessions granted by the government. Please see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Grants of New Concessions” below. Grants of new concessions that compete with our airports could adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.
We provide a public service regulated by the Mexican government and our flexibility in managing our aeronautical activities is limited by the regulatory environment in which we operate.
Our aeronautical fees charged to airlines and passengers are, like most airports in other countries, regulated. In 2007, approximately 67.9% of our total revenues were earned from aeronautical services, which are subject to price regulation under our maximum rates. These regulations may limit our flexibility in operating our aeronautical activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition. In addition, several of the regulations applicable to our operations and that affect our profitability are authorized (as in the case of our master development programs) or established (as in the case of our maximum rates) by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation for five-year terms. Except under limited circumstances, we generally do not have the ability unilaterally to change our obligations (such as the investment obligations under our master development programs or the obligation under concessions to provide a public service) or increase our maximum rates applicable under those regulations should our passenger traffic or other assumptions on which the regulations were based change during the applicable term. In addition, there can be no assurance that this price regulation system will not be amended in a manner that would cause additional sources of our revenues to be regulated.

 

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We cannot predict how the regulations governing our business will be applied.
Many of the laws, regulations and instruments that regulate our business were adopted or became effective in 1999, and there is only a limited history that would allow us to predict the impact of these legal requirements on our future operations. In addition, although Mexican law establishes ranges of sanctions that might be imposed should we fail to comply with the terms of one of our concessions, the Mexican Airport Law and its regulations or other applicable law, we cannot predict the sanctions that are likely to be assessed for a given violation within these ranges. We cannot assure you that we will not encounter difficulties in complying with these laws, regulations and instruments. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the laws and regulations governing our business will not change.
The Ministry of Communications and Transportation has announced that it intends to establish a new, independent regulatory agency to supervise the operation of our airports, as well as those of other airports that have been opened to private investment. Likewise, a recent bill in Mexico’s Congress proposes to establish a Federal Airport Services Commission. For further information on this agency, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—New Regulatory Agency.” We cannot predict whether or when this new agency will be organized, the scope of its authority, the actions that it will take in the future or the effect of any such actions on our business.
If we exceed the maximum rate at any airport at the end of any year, we could be subject to sanctions.
Historically, we have set the prices we charge for regulated services at each airport as close as possible to the prices we are allowed to charge under the maximum rate for that airport. We expect to continue to pursue this pricing strategy in the future. For example, in 2007, our revenues subject to maximum rate regulation represented 97.6% of the amount we were entitled to earn under the maximum rates for all of our airports. There can be no assurance that we will be able to establish prices in the future that allow us to collect virtually all of the revenue we are entitled to earn from services subject to price regulation.
The specific prices we charge for regulated services are determined based on various factors, including projections of passenger traffic volumes, the Mexican producer price index (excluding petroleum) and the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar. These variables are outside of our control. Our projections could differ from the applicable actual data, and, if these differences occur at the end of any year, they could cause us to exceed the maximum rate at any one or more of our airports during that year.
If we exceed the maximum rate at any airport at the end of any year, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation may assess a fine and may reduce the maximum rate at that airport in the subsequent year. The imposition of sanctions for violations of certain terms of a concession, including for exceeding the airport’s maximum rates, can result in termination of the concession if the relevant term has been violated and sanctions have been imposed at least three times. In the event that any one of our concessions is terminated, our other concessions may also be terminated.

 

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Depreciation of the peso may cause us to exceed our maximum rates.
We aim to charge prices that are as close as possible to our maximum chargeable rates, and we are entitled to adjust our specific prices only once every six months (or earlier upon a cumulative increase of 5% in the Mexican producer price index (excluding petroleum)). However, we generally collect passenger charges from airlines 30 to 115 days following the date of each flight. Such tariffs for the services that we provide to international flights or international passengers are generally denominated in U.S. dollars but are paid in Mexican pesos based on the average exchange rate for the month prior to each flight. Accordingly, depreciation of the peso, particularly late in the year, could cause us to exceed the maximum rates at one or more of our airports, which could lead to the termination of one of our concessions. In the event that any one of our concessions is terminated, our other concessions may also be terminated.
Risks Related to Mexico
Appreciation, depreciation or fluctuation of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Following the devaluation of the peso in December 1994 and the resulting economic crisis in Mexico, the aggregate passenger traffic volume in our airports in 1995 decreased as compared to the prior year, reflecting a decrease in domestic passenger traffic volume that more than offset an increase in international passenger traffic volume. Recently, the peso has increased in value against the U.S. dollar, which could lead to a decrease in international passenger traffic, which may not be offset by any increase in domestic passenger traffic. Any future significant appreciation or depreciation of the peso could impact our aggregate passenger traffic volume.
In addition, devaluation or depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar may adversely affect the dollar value of an investment in the ADSs and the Series B shares, as well as the dollar value of any dividend or other distributions that we may make.
As of December 31, 2007 less than 1.30% of our liabilities (U.S.$2.58 million) were dollar-denominated. Although we currently intend to fund the investments required by our business strategy through cash flow from operations, we may incur dollar-denominated debt to finance all or a portion of these investments. A devaluation of the peso would increase the debt service cost of any dollar-denominated indebtedness that we may incur and result in foreign exchange losses.
Severe devaluation or depreciation of the peso, or government imposition of exchange controls, may also result in the disruption of the international foreign exchange markets and may limit our ability to transfer or to convert pesos into U.S. dollars and other currencies.
Economic developments in Mexico may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Although a substantial portion of our revenues is derived from foreign tourism, domestic passengers in recent years have represented approximately half of the passenger traffic volume in our airports. In addition, all of our assets are located, and all of our operations are conducted, in Mexico. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected by the general condition of the Mexican economy, by a devaluation of the peso, by inflation and high interest rates in Mexico, or by political developments in Mexico.

 

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Mexico has experienced adverse economic conditions.
In the past, Mexico has experienced economic crises, caused by internal and external factors, characterized by exchange rate instability (including large devaluations), high inflation, high domestic interest rates, economic contraction, a reduction of international capital flows, a reduction of liquidity in the banking sector and high unemployment rates. We cannot assume that such conditions will not return or that such conditions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Mexico experienced a period of slow growth from 2001 through 2003, primarily as a result of the downturn in the U.S. economy. In 2001, Mexico’s GDP declined by 0.2%, while inflation reached 4.4%. In 2002, GDP grew by 0.9% and inflation reached 5.7%. In 2003, GDP grew by 1.4% and inflation was 4.0%. In 2004, GDP grew by 4.2% and inflation increased to 5.2%. In 2005, GDP grew by approximately 2.8% and inflation decreased to 3.3%. In 2006, GDP grew by approximately 4.8% and inflation reached 4.1%. In 2007, GDP grew by approximately 3.3% and inflation declined to 3.8%.
Mexico also has, and is expected to continue to have, high real and nominal interest rates. The annualized interest rates on 28 day Mexican treasury securities averaged approximately 11.3%, 7.1%, 6.2%, 6.8%, 9.2%, 7.2% and 7.2% for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. To the extent that we incur Peso-denominated debt in the future, it could be at high interest rates.
If the Mexican economy falls into a recession, if inflation or interest rates increase significantly or the Mexican economy is otherwise adversely impacted, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Political conditions in Mexico could materially and adversely affect Mexican economic policy and, in turn, our operations.
National elections held on July 2, 2000 ended 71 years of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) with the election of President Vicente Fox Quesada, a member of the National Action Party (PAN) and resulted in the increased representation of opposition parties in the Mexican Congress and in mayoral and gubernatorial positions. On July 2, 2006, Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, also of the PAN, was elected to succeed him. No single party currently has a majority in the Congress or Senate. This shift in political power has transformed Mexico from a one-party state to a pluralist democracy. Multiparty rule is still relatively new in Mexico and could result in economic or political conditions that could materially and adversely affect our operations. The lack of a majority party in the legislature and the current lack of alignment between the legislature and the President could result in instability or deadlock.
Increased environmental regulation and enforcement in Mexico may affect us.
The level of environmental regulation in Mexico has significantly increased in recent years, and the enforcement of environmental laws is becoming substantially more stringent. We expect this trend to continue and to be stimulated by international agreements between Mexico and the United States. There can be no assurance that environmental regulations or their enforcement will not change in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, prospects or financial condition.

 

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Developments in other countries may affect the prices of securities issued by Mexican companies.
The Mexican economy may be, to varying degrees, affected by economic and market conditions in other countries. Although economic conditions in other countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Mexico, investors’ reactions to adverse developments in other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Mexican issuers. In October 1997, prices of both Mexican debt and equity securities decreased substantially as a result of the sharp drop in Asian securities markets. Similarly, in the second half of 1998 and in early 1999, prices of Mexican securities were adversely affected by the economic crises in Russia and Brazil. The Mexican debt and equities markets also have been adversely affected by ongoing developments in the global credit markets.
In addition, in recent years economic conditions in Mexico have become increasingly correlated with economic conditions in the United States as a result of NAFTA and increased economic activity between the two countries. Therefore, adverse economic conditions in the United States, the termination of NAFTA or other related events could have a material adverse effect on the Mexican economy. We cannot assure you that events in other emerging market countries, in the United States or elsewhere will not materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Corporate disclosure.
A principal objective of the securities laws of the United States, Mexico, and other countries is to promote full and fair disclosure of all material corporate information, including accounting information. However, there may be different or less publicly available information about issuers of securities in Mexico than is regularly made available by public companies in countries with highly developed capital markets, including the United States.
In addition, accounting standards and disclosure requirements in Mexico differ from those of the United States. In particular, our Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with Mexican FRS, which differs from U.S. GAAP in a number of respects. Items on the financial statements of a company prepared in accordance with Mexican FRS may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Mexican law and our bylaws restrict the ability of non-Mexican shareholders to invoke the protection of their governments with respect to their rights as shareholders.
As required by Mexican law, our bylaws provide that non-Mexican shareholders shall be considered as Mexicans in respect of their ownership interests in ASUR and shall be deemed to have agreed not to invoke the protection of their governments in certain circumstances. Under this provision, a non-Mexican shareholder is deemed to have agreed not to invoke the protection of his own government by asking such government to interpose a diplomatic claim against the Mexican government with respect to the shareholder’s rights as a shareholder, but is not deemed to have waived any other rights it may have, including any rights under the U.S. securities laws, with respect to its investment in ASUR. If you invoke such governmental protection in violation of this agreement, your shares could be forfeited to the Mexican government.

 

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It may be difficult to enforce civil liabilities against us or our directors, officers and controlling persons.
ASUR is organized under the laws of Mexico, with its principal place of business (domicilio social) in Mexico City, and most of our directors, officers and controlling persons reside outside the United States. In addition, all or a substantial portion of our assets and their assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States on such persons or to enforce judgments against them, including in any action based on civil liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws. There is doubt as to the enforceability against such persons in Mexico, whether in original actions or in actions to enforce judgments of U.S. courts, of liabilities based solely on the U.S. federal securities laws.
The protections afforded to minority shareholders in Mexico are different from those in the United States.
Under Mexican law, the protections afforded to minority shareholders are different from those in the United States. In particular, the law concerning fiduciary duties of directors is not as fully developed as in other jurisdictions, there is no procedure for class actions, and there are different procedural requirements for bringing shareholder lawsuits. As a result, in practice it may be more difficult for minority shareholders of ASUR to enforce their rights against us or our directors or controlling shareholder than it would be for shareholders of a company incorporated in another jurisdiction, such as the United States.

 

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Risks Related to Our ADSs
You may not be entitled to participate in future preemptive rights offerings.
Under Mexican law, if we issue new shares for cash as part of a capital increase, we generally must grant our shareholders the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage in ASUR. Rights to purchase shares in these circumstances are known as preemptive rights. We may not legally be permitted to allow holders of ADSs in the United States to exercise any preemptive rights in any future capital increase unless we file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, with respect to that future issuance of shares, or the offering qualifies for an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
At the time of any future capital increase, we will evaluate the costs and potential liabilities associated with filing a registration statement with the SEC and any other factors that we consider important to determine whether we will file such a registration statement.
We cannot assure you that we will file a registration statement with the SEC to allow holders of ADSs or shares in the United States to participate in a preemptive rights offering. In addition, under current Mexican law, sales by the depository of preemptive rights and distribution of the proceeds from such sales to you, the ADS holders, is not possible. As a result, your equity interest in ASUR may be diluted proportionately.
Holders of ADSs are not entitled to attend shareholders’ meetings, and they may only vote through the depositary.
Under Mexican law, a shareholder is required to deposit its shares with the Secretary of the Company, the S.D. Indeval Institución para el Depósito de Valores, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican or foreign credit institution or a brokerage house in order to attend a shareholders’ meeting. A holder of ADSs will not be able to meet this requirement, and accordingly is not entitled to attend shareholders’ meetings. A holder of ADSs is entitled to instruct the depositary as to how to vote the shares represented by ADSs, in accordance with the procedures provided for in the deposit agreement, but a holder of ADSs will not be able to vote its shares directly at a shareholders’ meeting or to appoint a proxy to do so.

 

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements. We may from time to time make forward-looking statements in our periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in our annual report to shareholders, in offering circulars and prospectuses, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees to analysts, institutional investors, representatives of the media and others. Examples of such forward-looking statements include:
  projections of operating revenues, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items or ratios,
  statements of our plans, objectives or goals,
  statements about our future economic performance or that of Mexico or other countries in which we operate, and
  statements of assumptions underlying such statements.
Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “forecast,” “guideline,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors, some of which are discussed above under “Risk Factors,” include material changes in the performance or terms of our concessions, developments in legal proceedings, economic and political conditions and government policies in Mexico or elsewhere, inflation rates, exchange rates, regulatory developments, customer demand and competition. We caution you that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and that other risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments.
Item 4. Information on the Company
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V., or ASUR, is a corporation (sociedad anónima bursátil de capital variable) organized under the laws of Mexico. We were incorporated in 1998 as part of the Mexican government’s program for the opening of Mexico’s airports to private-sector investment. The duration of our corporate existence is indefinite. We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our subsidiaries. The terms “ASUR,” “we” and “our” in this annual report refer both to Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. as well as Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. together with its subsidiaries. Our registered office is located at Bosque de Alisos No. 47A, Bosques de las Lomas, 05120 México, D.F., Mexico, telephone (5255) 5284-0400.

 

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Investment by ITA
As part of the opening of Mexico’s airports to investment, in 1998 the Mexican government sold a 15% equity interest in us in the form of 45,000,000 Series BB shares to ITA pursuant to a public bidding process. Currently, Fernando Chico Pardo, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, holds 51% of ITA’s shares and Copenhagen Airports holds 49% of ITA’s shares.
Mr. Chico Pardo became a stockholder in ITA in April 2004 when he acquired the 24.5% ownership stake of French group Vinci, S.A. in ITA and a 13.5% ownership stake of the Spanish group Ferrovial Aeropuertos, S.A. in ITA. At the same time, Copenhagen Airports acquired Ferrovial Aeropuertos, S.A.’s 11.0% ownership interest in ITA, thereby increasing its participation in ITA from 25.5% to 36.5%. Mr. Chico Pardo acquired an additional 25.5% ownership stake in ITA through the exercise of his right of first refusal following the auction of such shares by NAFIN, a Mexican national credit institution and development bank controlled by the Mexican government. On April 29, 2005, Copenhagen Airports increased its participation in ITA from 36.5% to 49% through the purchase of shares from Mr. Chico Pardo.
In connection with the tender offers and other transactions undertaken by Mr. Chico Pardo in June 2007, ITA converted 22,050,000 Series BB shares representing 7.35% of our total outstanding capital stock into Series B shares and transferred such shares to Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional, S.A. de C.V. by means of a spin-off. As a result, ITA currently holds 22,950,000 Series BB shares representing 7.65% of our total outstanding capital stock. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders—Tender Offer by Fernando Chico Pardo”.
Mr. Chico Pardo is the founder and President of Promecap, S.C. He serves as a board member of various organizations, including ITA, Grupo Posadas, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, Grupo Carso, Sanborns Hermanos and Sears Roebuck de Mexico.
Copenhagen Airports is among the world’s leading airport operators and has won several international awards. Copenhagen Airport is Scandinavia’s main airport. In 2007, approximately 21 million passengers were served at Copenhagen Airport. Additionally, Copenhagen Airports owns and operates Roskilde Airport located about 30 kilometers from Copenhagen, and holds shares in Newcastle International Airport in England.
ITA paid the Mexican government a total of Ps. 1,165.1 million (nominal pesos, excluding interest) (U.S.$120.0 million based on the exchange rates in effect on the dates of payment) in exchange for:
  45,000,000 Series BB shares representing 15% of our outstanding capital stock (as of the date hereof, Series BB shares represent 7.65% of our outstanding capital stock following the conversion described above),
  three options to subscribe for newly issued Series B shares, all of which have expired unexercised, and
  the right and obligation to enter into various agreements with us and the Mexican government, including a participation agreement, a technical assistance agreement and a shareholders’ agreement under terms established during the public bidding process. These agreements are described in greater detail under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions.”

 

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Under the technical assistance agreement, ITA provides management and consulting services and transfers industry “know-how” and technology to ASUR in exchange for a technical assistance fee. This agreement is more fully described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions.” The agreement provides us a perpetual and exclusive license in Mexico to use all technical assistance and “know-how” transferred to us by ITA or its stockholders during the term of the agreement. The agreement has an initial fifteen-year term, and is automatically renewed for successive five-year terms, unless one party provides the other a notice of termination within a specified period prior to a scheduled expiration date. ITA provides us assistance in various areas, including: development of our commercial activities, preparation of marketing studies focusing on increasing passenger traffic volume at our airports, assistance with the preparation of the master development plans that we are required to submit to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation with respect to each of our airports and the improvement of our airport operations.
The technical assistance fee is equal to the greater of a fixed dollar amount or 5% of our annual consolidated earnings before comprehensive financing cost, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (determined in accordance with Mexican FRS and calculated prior to deducting the technical assistance fee under this agreement). The agreement was recently amended to provide for quarterly payments of the fee. The fixed dollar amount decreased during the agreement’s initial five years. The fixed dollar amount was U.S.$5.0 million in 1999 and 2000, and U.S.$3.0 million in 2001 and 2002. Since 2003, the fixed dollar amount is U.S.$2.0 million before the annual adjustment for inflation (measured by the U.S. consumer price index) as from the first anniversary of the technical assistance agreement. We believe that this structure creates an incentive for ITA to increase our annual consolidated earnings before net comprehensive financing cost, income and asset taxes and depreciation and amortization. ITA is also entitled to reimbursement for the out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in its provision of services under the agreement. Under Mexican tax law, companies may not deduct fees that are determined by reference to their profitability (as defined under Mexican tax law).
The technical assistance agreement allows ITA, its stockholders and their affiliates to render additional services to ASUR only if the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee of our board of directors determines that these related persons have submitted the most favorable bid in a public bidding process involving at least three unrelated parties. For a description of this committee, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Committees.”
Under our bylaws, the participation agreement and the technical assistance agreement, ITA has the right to elect two members of our board of directors (which currently consists of seven members) and their alternates, and to present the board of directors the name or names of the candidates for appointment as our chief executive officer, to remove our chief executive officer, and to appoint and remove half of our executive officers. As the holder of the Series BB shares, ITA’s consent is also required to approve certain corporate matters so long as ITA’s Series BB shares represent at least 7.65% of our capital stock. In addition, our bylaws, the participation agreement and the technical assistance agreement contain certain provisions designed to avoid conflicts of interest between ASUR and ITA. The rights of ITA in our management are explained in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Committees.” ITA’s stockholders have entered into an agreement regarding the exercise of ITA’s rights and performance of its obligations under our bylaws, the participation agreement, the technical assistance agreement and the option agreement. The ITA shareholder’s agreement is described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders—ITA Trust and Shareholders’ Agreement.”

 

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The remaining 85% of our outstanding capital stock, which at that time (prior to the conversion in June 2007 by ITA of 22,050,000 Series BB shares into 22,050,000 Series B shares) consisted of 255,000,000 Series B shares, was sold by the Mexican government to a Mexican trust established by NAFIN. This trust subsequently sold the shares it held in us to the public. To our knowledge, the Mexican government no longer holds any of our shares.
Currently, ITA is restricted from transferring any of its remaining Series BB shares. After December 18, 2008, ITA may sell in any year up to 20% of its remaining ownership interest in us represented by Series BB shares. Our bylaws provide that Series BB shares must be converted into Series B shares prior to transfer. For a more detailed discussion of ITA’s rights to transfer its stock, see “Item 10. Additional Information—Registration and Transfer.”
As required under the participation agreement entered into in connection with the Mexican government’s sale of the Series BB shares to ITA, ITA has transferred its Series BB shares to a trust, the trustee of which is Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C. Under the terms of the participation agreement and the trust agreement, ITA’s key partners, currently Copenhagen Airports and Fernando Chico Pardo, are each required to maintain an ownership interest in ITA of a minimum of 25.5% prior to December 18, 2014 unless otherwise approved by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. To the extent that a key partner acquires shares of ITA in excess of a 25.5% interest, this additional interest may be sold without restriction. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders—ITA Trust and Shareholders’ Agreement” for a further description of these provisions. There can be no assurance that the terms of the participation agreement or the trust would not be amended to reduce or eliminate these ownership commitments. If ITA or any of its stockholders defaults on any obligation contained in the trust agreement, or if ITA defaults on any obligation contained in the participation agreement or the technical assistance agreement, after specified notice and cure provisions, the trust agreement provides that the trustee may sell 5% of the shares held in the trust and pay the proceeds of such sale to ASUR as liquidated damages.
Pursuant to the terms of the trust, ITA may direct the trustee to vote shares currently representing 7.65% of our capital stock, regarding all matters other than capital reductions, payment of dividends, amortization of shares and similar distributions to our shareholders, which are voted by the trustee in accordance with the vote of the majority of Series B shares. The trust does not affect the veto and other special rights granted to the holders of Series BB shares described in “Item 10. Additional Information.”
Master Development Programs
Under the terms of our concessions, each of our subsidiary concession holders is required to submit an updated master development plan for approval by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation every five years. Each master development plan covers a fifteen-year period and includes investment commitments for the regulated part of our business (including certain capital expenditures and improvements) for the succeeding five-year period and investment projections for the regulated part of our business (including certain capital expenditures and improvements) for the remaining ten years. Once approved by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, these commitments become binding obligations under the terms of our concessions. Committed investments are minimum requirements, and our capital expenditures may exceed our investment commitments in any period. In December 2003, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation approved each of our current updated master development plans. These plans are in effect from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008. New master development plans are currently under review by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.

 

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The following table sets forth our committed investments for the regulated part of our business for each airport pursuant to the terms of our current master development plans for the periods presented. Even though we have committed to invest the amounts in the table, those amounts could be lower or higher depending on the cost of each project.
Committed Investments
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     Total  
    (thousands of pesos)(1)  
Cancun(2)
  Ps. 345,651     Ps. 544,052     Ps. 818,764     Ps. 509,244     Ps. 490,081     Ps. 2,707,792  
Mérida
    25,915       28,513       47,596       32,091       2,388       136,503  
Cozumel
    10,905       70,984       12,802       16,751       11,142       122,584  
Villahermosa
    48,781       65,446       6,544       12,236       1,340       134,347  
Oaxaca
    22,125       21,763       10,554       6,816       4,969       66,227  
Veracruz
    25,890       21,904       11,953       11,529       1,540       72,816  
Huatulco
    10,105       5,608       4,106       7,013       54,084       80,916  
Tapachula
    20,787       4,576       9,484       8,395       825       44,067  
Minatitlan
    10,864       6,334       4,978       2,081       3,151       27,408  
 
                                   
Total
  Ps. 521,023     Ps. 769,180     Ps. 926,781     Ps. 606,156     Ps. 569,520     Ps. 3,392,660  
 
                                   
 
     
(1)   Expressed in adjusted pesos as of December 31, 2007 based on the Mexican construction price index in accordance with the terms of our master development plan.
 
(2)   The master development plan for Cancun airport was modified in the fourth quarter of 2005 to reflect our decision to build a new terminal rather than implement extensive expansion and remodeling of existing terminals, and to reflect an accelerated timetable for the construction of a second runway once the necessary land to construct it was received from the government. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation approved the modified plan and recognized a decrease of Ps. 123 million in investments as of December 31, 2007.
The following table sets forth our historical capital expenditures made with respect to the regulated and unregulated parts of our business in the periods indicated.
Capital Expenditures
         
Year ended December 31,   (thousands of pesos)(1)  
 
       
2005(2)
  Ps. 741,887  
2006
    1,129,915  
2007
    665,160  
 
     
(1)   Expressed in constant pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007.
 
(2)   Does not include the Ps. 50.1 million in connection with the re-opening of Terminal 1 at the Cancun airport.
In 2007, we spent Ps. 665.2 million on capital expenditures, principally for the construction of a second runway at Cancun Airport, as well as for purchases of machinery, furniture, and equipment. In 2006, we spent Ps. 1,129.9 million on capital expenditures, principally for the construction of the Terminal 3 building at the Cancun airport, which began operation in May 2007. In 2005, we spent Ps. 741.9 million on capital expenditures, principally for purchases of machinery, furniture and equipment principally for the Cancun, Villahermosa and Merida airports.
Although we currently intend to fund the investments and working capital required by our business strategy through cash flow from operations, we may incur debt to finance all or a portion of these investments in the future.

 

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BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We hold concessions to operate, maintain and develop nine airports in the southeast region of Mexico for fifty years from November 1, 1998. As operators of these airports, we charge airlines, passengers and other users fees for the use of the airports’ facilities. We also derive rental and other income from commercial activities conducted at our airports, such as the leasing of space to restaurants and retailers. Our concessions include the concession for Cancun International Airport, the second busiest airport in Mexico in 2007 in terms of passenger traffic, according to the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency. We also hold concessions to operate the airports in Cozumel, Huatulco, Merida, Minatitlan, Oaxaca, Tapachula, Veracruz and Villahermosa.
Mexico is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. Mexico has historically ranked in the top ten countries worldwide in terms of foreign visitors, with 13 million visitors in 2007, according to the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. Within Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico ranked first in 2007 in terms of number of foreign visitors and income from tourism, according to the World Tourism Organization. The tourism industry is one of the largest generators of foreign exchange in the Mexican economy. Within Mexico, the southeast region (where our airports are located) is a principal tourist destination due to its beaches and cultural and archeological sites, which are served by numerous hotels and resorts.
Cancun and its surroundings were the most frequently visited international tourism destination in Mexico in 2007, according to the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. Cancun International Airport represented 69.8%, 70.6% and 69.8% of our passenger traffic volume and 74.9%, 75.6% and 75.1% of our revenues in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. At December 31, 2007, Cancun had approximately 27,075 hotel rooms, according to the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. We believe that Cancun International Airport is positioned to benefit from its proximity to the Mayan Riviera, a 129-kilometer (80-mile) stretch of coastal resorts and hotels that is among Mexico’s most rapidly developing tourism areas. According to the Mexican National Trust for Tourism Development, the Mayan Riviera had approximately 34,765 hotel rooms as of December 31, 2007.
Our airports served approximately 13.3 million passengers in 2005, approximately 13.8 million passengers in 2006, and approximately 16.2 million passengers in 2007. For year-by-year passenger figures, see “—Our Airports.”
The United States currently is a significant source of passenger traffic volume in our airports. In 2005, 2006 and 2007 international passengers represented 60.7%, 58.2% and 55.8% respectively, of the total passenger traffic volume in our airports. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, 69.0%, 66.1% and 66.7% respectively, of the international passengers in our airports traveled on flights originating in or departing to the United States. As of December 31, 2007, 19 Mexican and 103 international airlines, including U.S.-based airlines such as American Airlines and Continental Airlines, were operating directly or through code-sharing arrangements (where one aircraft has two or more flight numbers of different, allied airlines) in our airports.

 

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Aeronautical Services
The following table sets forth our revenues for the period presented.
                         
    2005     2006     2007  
    (thousands of pesos)  
Revenues:
                       
Aeronautical Services
  Ps. 1,577,295     Ps. 1,647,594     Ps. 1,890,950  
Non-Aeronautical Services
    650,889       675,530       894,941  
 
                 
Total
  Ps. 2,228,184     Ps. 2,323,124     Ps. 2,785,891  
 
                 
Aeronautical services represent the most significant source of our revenues. All of our revenues from aeronautical services are regulated under the “dual-till” price regulation system applicable to our airports.
Our revenues from aeronautical services are derived from: passenger charges, landing charges, aircraft parking charges, charges for the use of passenger walkways and charges for the provision of airport security services. Charges for aeronautical services generally are designed to compensate an airport operator for its infrastructure investment and maintenance expense. Aeronautical revenues are principally dependent on three factors: passenger traffic volume, the number of air traffic movements and the weight of the aircraft.
Passenger Charges
We collect a passenger charge for each departing passenger on an aircraft (other than diplomats, infants and transfer and transit passengers). We do not collect passenger charges from arriving passengers. Passenger charges are automatically included in the cost of a passenger’s ticket and generally collected twice monthly from each airline. As of December 2007, the charge for international passengers was U.S.$ 18.25 and U.S.$ 17.50 for the Cancun and Veracruz Airports, respectively, and the charge for domestic passengers was Ps. 150.00 (nominal pesos) for both the Cancun and Veracruz airports. For Cozumel, Huatulco Villahermosa and Merida, Minatitlan and Tapachula, and Oaxaca we charged international passengers U.S.$ 19.00, $ 19.70 and $ 19.00, and domestic passengers Ps. 180.40, 187.50, and 176.00 (nominal pesos), respectively, as of that date. International passenger charges are currently dollar-denominated, but generally collected in pesos based on the average exchange rate during the month prior to the flight. Domestic passenger charges are peso-denominated. In each of 2006 and 2007, passenger charges represented 76.9% and 76.7% respectively of our aeronautical revenues and 54.6% and 52.0% respectively, of our total consolidated revenues. From time to time we have offered discounts on passenger charges at certain of our airports.
Aircraft Landing and Parking Charges, Passenger Walkway Charges and Airport Security Charges
We collect various charges from carriers for the use of our facilities by their aircraft and passengers. For each aircraft’s arrival, we collect a landing charge that is based on the average of the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight and the aircraft’s weight without fuel. We also collect aircraft parking charges based on the time an aircraft is at an airport’s gate or parking position. Parking charges at several of our airports vary based on the time of day that the relevant service is provided (with higher fees generally charged during peak usage periods at certain of our airports). We collect aircraft parking charges the entire time an aircraft is on our aprons. Airlines are also assessed charges for the connection of their aircraft to our terminals through a passenger walkway. We also assess an airport security charge, which is collected from each airline based on the number of its departing passengers. We provide airport security services at our airports through third-party contractors. We also provide firefighting and rescue services at our airports.

 

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Non-aeronautical Services
General
Non-aeronautical services have historically generated a proportionately smaller portion of our revenues. Our revenues from non-aeronautical services are derived from commercial activities (such as the leasing of space in our airports to retailers, restaurants, airlines and other commercial tenants) and access fees charged to providers of complementary services in our airports (such as catering, handling and ground transport). In 2005, 2006 and 2007, 24.24%, 24.16% and 26.72% of our consolidated revenues, respectively, were derived from commercial revenues as defined under the Mexican Airport Law.
Currently, the leasing of space in our airports to airlines and other commercial tenants represents the most significant source of our revenues from non-aeronautical services. Although certain of our revenues from non-aeronautical services are regulated under our “dual-till” price regulation system, our revenues from commercial activities (other than the lease of space to airlines and other airport service providers that is considered essential to an airport) are not regulated.
Commercial Activities
Leading international airports generally generate an important portion of their revenues from commercial activities. An airport’s revenues from commercial activities is largely dependent on passenger traffic, its passengers’ level of spending, terminal design, the mix of commercial tenants and the basis of fees charged to businesses operating in the airport. Revenues from commercial activities also depend substantially on the percentage of traffic represented by international passengers due to the revenues generated from duty-free shopping.
In 2002, we opened 40 new commercial spaces in six of our airports, including new duty-free shops, restaurants, bank and foreign exchange services, and convenience stores. In 2003 we continued developing commercial activity in our airports by opening new bars and restaurants in six of our airports and new retail stores in seven of our airports, as well as dedicating additional space to advertising in our Cancun airport. We opened 13 new retail stores in our Cancun, Merida and Oaxaca airports in 2004, and 16 new retail stores at the Cancun, Cozumel, Villahermosa, Oaxaca and Minatitlan airports in 2005.
In 2006, we opened 11 new retail stores in our Cancun, Merida, Oaxaca, Villahermosa and Huatulco airports, and also entered into long-term agreements relating to commercial activities in Cancun Airport’s new Terminal 3, including an agreement with Aldeasa México, S.A. de C.V. for the operation of the duty-free shops until 2017 and for extensions on existing facility leases in Cancun Airport’s Terminal 2, Cozumel, and Merida. We also entered into a ten-year agreement with AB T3, S.A. de C.V. to provide food and beverage services at our Cancun airport’s new Terminal 3. The facilities at Terminal 3 include 2000 square meters of food and beverage retail space, comprising a total of 10 units, with brands and concepts aimed at providing the airport’s international passengers with world-class service. Additionally, Hoteleria e Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. assumed responsibility for the operation of the restaurant and snack bar at the Cancun airport’s Terminal 2 that were previously operated directly by the Cancun airport.

 

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In 2007, we opened 21 new retail stores in the Cancun Airport, mostly in connection with the opening of the new Terminal 3, including restaurants, gift shops, a duty free shop, a drugstore, a convenience store, an exchange booth, and a spa. We also opened one new retail store at each of the Merida, Veracruz, and Villahermosa airports. In addition, in July 2007, we signed a five-year agreement with Banco Santander to install and operate branches at the Cancun, Mérida, and Veracruz airports, and to install ATMs at the Cozumel, Huatulco, Minatitlán, Oaxaca, Tapachula, and Villahermosa airports.
We estimate that prior to 2000, revenues from commercial activities in our terminals accounted for less than 15% of the total revenues generated by our airports. In contrast, we believe that revenues from commercial activities account for 25% or more of the consolidated revenues of many leading international airports. Accordingly, a significant part of our business strategy is focused on increasing our revenues from commercial activities in our airports.
Within our nine airports, we leased approximately 296 commercial premises as of December 31, 2007, including restaurants, banks, retail outlets (including duty-free stores), currency exchange bureaus and car rental agencies. Our most important tenant in terms of occupied space and revenue in 2007 were Aldeasa and Controladora Mera and its affiliates. Generally, concessionaires pay a monthly fee based on the higher of a fixed amount or a percentage of their revenues.
Access Charges
At each of our airports, we earn revenues from charging access fees to various third-party providers of complementary services, including luggage check-in, sorting and handling, aircraft servicing at our gates, aircraft cleaning, cargo handling, aircraft catering services and assistance with passenger boarding and deplaning. Our revenues from access charges are regulated under our “dual-till” price regulation system. Under current regulations, each of these services may be provided by the holder of an airport concession, by a carrier or by a third party hired by a concession-holder or a carrier. Typically, these services are provided by third parties, whom we charge an access fee based on a percentage of revenues that they earn at our airports. Six different contractors provide handling services at our nine airports.
Consorcio Aeromexico, the parent of the Aeromexico airline, and Grupo Mexicana together own Servicios de Apoyo en Tierra or “SEAT,” a company that provides certain complementary services, such as baggage handling, to various carriers at airports throughout Mexico. SEAT operated at our airports prior to our commencement of operations under our concessions and continues to do so. Under the Mexican Airport Law, third-party providers of complementary services are required to enter into agreements with the respective concession holder at that airport, which we did as of December 27, 2000.
Under the Mexican Airport Law, we are required to provide complementary services at each of our airports if there is no third party providing such services. SEAT is currently the sole provider of baggage handling services at five of our airports. If SEAT ceased to provide such services directly, we could be required to provide these services or find a third party to provide them.

 

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Automobile Parking and Ground Transport
Each of our airports has public car parking facilities consisting of open-air parking lots. The only airport at which we do not charge parking fees is Cozumel. Revenues from parking at our airports currently are not regulated, although they could become regulated upon a finding by the Mexican Competition Commission that there are no competing alternatives.
We collect revenues from various commercial vehicle operators, including taxi, bus and other ground transport operators. Our revenues from permanent providers of ground transport services, such as access fees charged to taxis, are regulated activities, while our revenues from non-permanent providers of ground transport services, such as access fees charged to charter buses, are not regulated revenues. In October 2007, we entered into new concession agreements with car rental companies, which had better economic terms than the previous concession agreements.
Airport Security
The Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil, or General Office of Civil Aviation, Mexico’s federal authority on aviation, and the Office of Public Security issue guidelines for airport security in Mexico. At each of our airports, security services are provided by independent security companies that we hire. In recent years, we have undertaken various measures to improve the security standards at our airports. These measures included increasing the responsibilities of the private security companies that we hire, the implementation in accordance with regulations issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of integrated computer tomography and baggage detection system for international and domestic flights to detect explosive traces, the modernization of our carry-on luggage scanning and security equipment, the implementation of strict access control procedures to the restricted areas of our airports and the installation of a closed-circuit television monitoring system in some of our airports.
In response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, we have taken additional steps to increase security at our airports. At the request of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States, the General Office of Civil Aviation issued directives in October 2001 establishing new rules and procedures to be adopted at our airports. Under these directives, these rules and procedures were to be implemented immediately and for an indefinite period of time.
To comply with these directives, we reinforced security by:
  increasing and improving the security training of airport personnel,
  increasing the supervision and responsibilities of both our security personnel and airline security personnel that operate in our airports,
  issuing new electronic identification cards to airport personnel,
  reinforcing control of different access areas of our airports, and
  physically changing the access points to several of the restricted areas of our airports.

 

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Airlines have also contributed to the enhanced security at our airports as they have adopted new procedures and rules issued by the General Office of Civil Aviation applicable to airlines. Some measures adopted by the airlines include adding more points for verification of passenger identification, inspecting luggage prior to check-in and reinforcing controls over access to airplanes by service providers (such as baggage handlers and food service providers). As of January 1, 2006, we are providing additional services to the airlines, including providing facilities to assist airlines in complying with requirements to screen all checked baggage on international flights. We began providing similar assistance to domestic flights as of July 1, 2006.
Fuel
All airport property and installations related to the supply of aircraft fuel were retained by the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency in connection with the opening of Mexico’s airports to private investment. Pursuant to our concessions, the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency has entered into agreements obligating it to pay each of our subsidiary concession holders a fee for access to our facilities equivalent to 1% of the service charge for fuel supply. In the event that the Mexican government were to privatize fuel supply activities in the future, the terms of our concessions provide that it will do so through a competitive bidding process.
Our Airports
In 2007, our airports served a total of 16.2 million passengers, approximately 55.8% of which were international passengers. In 2006, our airports served a total of 13.8 million passengers, approximately 58.2% of which were international passengers. In 2005, our airports served a total of 13.3 million passengers, approximately 60.7% of which were international passengers. In 2007, Cancun International Airport accounted for 69.8% of the passenger traffic volume and 75.1% of revenues from our nine airports.
All of our airports are designated as international airports under Mexican law, which indicates that they are equipped to receive international flights and have customs and immigration facilities.
The following table sets forth the number of passengers served by our airports based on flight origination or destination.
Passengers by Flight Origin or Destination(1)
(in thousands)
                                                 
                                            Percentage of  
Region   2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     Total 2007  
Mexico(2)
    5,309       5,620       5,493       6,016       7,489       46.1 %
United States
    4,925       5,928       5,580       5,301       6,038       37.2 %
Europe
    985       1,265       1,201       1,354       1,363       8.4 %
Canada
    712       805       767       851       1,003       6.2 %
Latin America
    256       279       280       255       342       2.1 %
Asia and others
    3       0       0       3       4       0.0 %
 
                                   
Total
    12,190       13,897       13,321       13,780       16,239       100 %
 
                                   
 
     
(1)   Figures exclude passengers in transit and private aviation passengers.
 
(2)   Figures include domestic flights taken by international passengers; in 2007, such flights accounted for 44.2%.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, approximately 84.3%, 80.6%, and 71.1% respectively, of our domestic passengers traveled to or from Mexico City.

 

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The following table sets forth the total traffic volume and air traffic movements in our nine airports for the periods presented:
Airport Traffic
(in thousands)
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  
Passengers:
                                       
Total
    12,190.0       13,897.3       13,321.3       13,779.9       16,238.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Air traffic movements:(1)
                                       
Total
    198.0       219.9       209.9       220.5       262.3  
 
                             
 
     
(1)   Includes landings and departures, in thousands. Air traffic movement data include the Cancun charter terminal for all periods, because ASUR earned landing fees from all landings regardless of the terminal used.
The following table sets forth the passenger traffic volume for each of our airports during the periods indicated:
Passenger Traffic
(in thousands)
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  
 
                                       
Cancun
    8,684.2       10,010.7       9,301.5       9,728.1       11,340.0  
Merida
    899.6       931.1       1,021.9       1,007.2       1,267.5  
Cozumel
    455.8       584.4       486.6       370.7       511.1  
Villahermosa
    599.7       673.3       717.4       725.0       853.8  
Oaxaca
    461.0       543.2       563.7       495.6       514.1  
Veracruz
    514.6       563.5       579.4       718.0       976.6  
Huatulco
    259.4       270.8       312.0       375.3       375.9  
Tapachula
    184.8       193.8       192.3       188.1       210.9  
Minatitlan
    130.9       126.5       146.5       171.9       188.9  
 
                             
Total
    12,190.0       13,897.3       13,321.3       13,779.9       16,238.8  
 
                             
Air Traffic Movements by Airport(1)
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  
 
                                       
Cancun
    87,347       97,575       93,761       97,228       114,067  
Merida
    24,213       26,534       25,449       27,610       34,686  
Cozumel
    12,813       14,355       13,381       12,122       13,801  
Villahermosa
    20,299       22,267       19,892       21,098       27,351  
Oaxaca
    15,111       17,502       17,796       16,148       15,578  
Veracruz
    19,737       22,228       20,520       24,905       32,308  
Huatulco
    5,461       6,152       6,996       7,179       7,041  
Tapachula
    7,658       7,686       6,169       6,621       7,441  
Minatitlan
    5,362       5,598       5,937       7,625       9,999  
 
                             
Total
    198,001       219,897       209,901       220,536       262,272  
 
                             
 
     
(1)   Includes departures and landings.

 

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The following table sets forth the air traffic movements in our airports for the periods indicated in terms of commercial, charter and general aviation:
Air Traffic Movements by Aviation Category
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  
 
                                       
Commercial Aviation
    143,788       162,596       157,686       168,711       203,513  
Charter Aviation
    22,535       23,061       20,004       17,747       19,958  
General Aviation(1)
    31,678       34,240       32,211       34,078       38,801  
 
                             
Total
    198,001       219,897       209,901       220,536       262,272  
 
                             
 
     
(1)   General aviation generally consists of small private aircraft.
Cancun International Airport
Cancun International Airport is our most important airport in terms of passenger volume, air traffic movements and contribution to revenues. In 2007, Cancun International Airport was the second busiest airport in Mexico in terms of passenger traffic, according to the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency. The airport is located approximately 16 kilometers (ten miles) from the city of Cancun, which has a population of approximately 572,973. A substantial majority of the airport’s international passengers (68.69% in 2005, 65.83% in 2006, and 65.99% in 2007) began or ended their travel in the United States. The airport’s most important points of origin and destination are Mexico City, Miami, Houston, Dallas and New York. Due to the airport’s significant number of passengers from the United States, its traffic volume and results of operations are substantially dependent on economic conditions in the United States. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Operations—Our business could be adversely affected by a downturn in the U.S. economy.”
During 2007, approximately 8.5 million passengers traveled through Terminal 2 of Cancun Airport. Combined with the 2.8 million passengers that travel traveled through the newly-opened Terminal 3, a total of 11.3 million passengers were served by Cancun International Airport in 2007. Terminal 1, which had been closed because of damage from Hurricane Wilma, recently reopened.
Cancun is located in the state of Quintana Roo. Cancun and its surroundings are the most visited international tourism destination in Mexico in 2007, according to the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. According to the Mexican National Trust for Tourist Development, the Cancun area had approximately 27,075 hotel rooms as of December 31, 2007. Although Cancun may be reached by land, sea or air, we believe most tourists arrive by air through Cancun International Airport. Cancun is between approximately one and a half and five hours by air from all major cities in the United States and 10 to 13 hours by air from most major European cities.
Cancun is located near beaches, coral reefs, ecological parks and Mayan archeological sites. Cancun International Airport serves travelers visiting the Mayan Riviera, which stretches from Cancun south to the Mayan ruins at Tulum, and includes coastal hotels and resorts in the towns of Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Akumal. According to the Mexican National Trust for Tourism Development, the greater Cancun area (including the Mayan Riviera) was estimated to have an aggregate of approximately 34,765 hotel rooms as of December 31, 2007.
Since most of the airport’s passengers are tourists, the airport’s traffic volume and results of operations are influenced by the perceived attractiveness of Cancun as a tourist destination. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Operations—Our business could be adversely affected by a downturn in the U.S. economy.”

 

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The airport’s facilities include Terminal 1 (the charter terminal), Terminal 2 (the old main terminal, which includes a wing referred to as the satellite wing), Terminal 3 (the new terminal that commenced operations in May 2007 as described below) and a general aviation building that handles private aircraft. The airport has 40 gates, 21 of which are accessible by passenger walkways. Terminal 2 has nine gates accessible by passenger walkways, Terminal 3 has 11 boarding gates accessible by passenger walkways, and the charter terminal has one gate that is accessible by a passenger walkway. The airport has 70 retail outlets located throughout Terminals 2 and 3, and one bank branch located in Terminal 3.
As part of our commercial strategy, in the fourth quarter of 2005 we completed an expansion of 8,224 square meters (approximately 88,621 square feet) and a remodeling of 1,387 square meters (approximately 14,445 square feet), giving us a total of 52,522 square meters (approximately 563,342 square feet) of which 10,147 square meters (109,221 square feet) are for commercial use in Cancun Airport’s Terminal 2.
On December 6, 2005, we began construction on Terminal 3, which we opened on May 17, 2007, and which began operations on May 18, 2007. With a total investment of approximately U.S.$100 million, Terminal 3 constitutes our most ambitious investment project to-date. Terminal 3 has doubled international passenger capacity at Cancun International Airport. The new building, measuring a total area of 45,263 square meters (approximately 487,207 square feet), has capacity for 84 check-in counters and 11 boarding gates with boarding bridges and four remote boarding gates served by buses, as well as 6,660 square meters (approximately 71,688 square feet) for commercial use, comprising a total of 21 retail outlets and one bank branch. The terminal features state-of-the-art passenger information systems and security equipment, including the first CT scanning system (a system that uses x-rays to form a three-dimensional model of the contents of a piece of luggage) in Mexico for all checked baggage.
The charter terminal in Cancun Airport, which we acquired on June 30, 1999, has an additional 20,383 square meters (approximately 234,007 square feet).
Cancun International Airport currently has one runway with a length of 3,500 meters (2.2 miles). Due to a significant increase in passengers at Cancun International Airport, we are currently constructing a second runway using land obtained in concession from the Mexican federal government, which we expect to complete in 2009. If, for any reason, we are unable to complete the construction or commence operation of this second runway, it could limit the growth of our business and adversely affect our results of operations, future prospects or financial condition.
In April 2006, we obtained a license to develop cargo facilities at the airport, which are currently being operated by Asur Carga, S.A. de C.V. As of March 2007, we charge taxis and passenger vans an access fee of Ps. 16.50, and buses an access fee of Ps. 28.00, upon entering the airport.
On August 20, 2007, Hurricane Dean struck the Yucatan Peninsula. Although no damage was caused to the Cancun airport or our administrative office building in Cancun, we ceased operations at the airport as a safety precaution for approximately seven hours, resulting in the cancellation of 124 flights.

 

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In October 2004, the Mexican state of Quintana Roo formed a majority state-owned company, Aeropuerto Internacional de la Riviera Maya, S.A. de C.V., to seek a concession from the Mexican federal government to build and operate a new airport in the Mayan Riviera region of the state, which is currently served primarily by Cancun Airport. This airport would be approximately 120 kilometers from our airport in Cancun and could adversely affect passenger traffic there. The bidding process is expected to take place during the second half of 2008. ASUR has no further details on the construction or projected opening of the airport and is unable to predict the effect that it may have on our passenger traffic or operating results if the project is successfully carried out.
Merida International Airport
Merida International Airport serves the inland city of Merida, which has a population of approximately 1,818,948, and surrounding areas in the state of Yucatan. Merida International Airport ranked second among our airports in 2007 in terms of passenger traffic and contribution to revenues. The substantial majority of this airport’s passengers are domestic. The airport’s primary point of origin and destination is Mexico City.
Merida International Airport attracts a mix of both business travelers and tourists. The city of Merida is an established urban area with numerous small and medium-sized businesses. The city is approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) by highway from Chichen Itza and approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Uxmal, pre-Columbian archeological sites that attract a significant number of tourists.
The airport has two perpendicular runways, one with a length of 3,200 meters (2.0 miles) and another with a length of 2,300 meters (1.4 miles). The airport has one Terminal 2, with four gates accessible by passenger walkways and six remote boarding positions. As part of our commercial strategy, we remodeled the entire 16,731 square meter (180,091 square foot) terminal, of which 2,157 square meters (approximately 23,220 square feet) are for commercial use. This remodeled area was opened in December 2001.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, approximately 19,105, 16,638 and 16,077 metric tons of cargo, respectively, were transported through Merida International Airport, making it our leading airport in terms of cargo volume. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, Merida represented approximately 45.1%, 39.17% and 37.99% respectively, of our total cargo volume. We have considered opportunities for developing the Merida cargo facilities, but we have no plans to pursue such opportunities at this time.
There are currently two businesses operating in Merida International Airport. One business operates under a long-term lease with Grupo de Desarrollo del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. (GDS), which will terminate on January 1, 2009. This lease allows GDS to construct and develop the airport’s air cargo terminal. In addition, we opened a retail store in Terminal 2 in August 2007. Our concession provides us the right to collect landing charges and parking charges for aircraft using the cargo terminal.
On August 20, 2007, Hurricane Dean struck the Yucatan Peninsula. Although the Merida airport was not damaged, we ceased operations at the airport as a safety precaution for the morning of August 21, resulting in the cancellation of 49 flights.

 

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Cozumel International Airport
Cozumel International Airport is located on the island of Cozumel in the state of Quintana Roo. The airport primarily serves foreign tourists. During 2007, 511,043 passengers traveled through Cozumel International Airport, most of which were international passengers. Cozumel is the most frequently visited destination for cruise ships in Mexico, hosting approximately 2.4 million and 2.5 million cruise ship visitors in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cozumel has one of the world’s largest coral reserves, and many passengers traveling to Cozumel are divers. The airport’s most important points of origin and destination are Houston, Dallas and Cancun. The island of Cozumel has a population of approximately 73,193.
As part of our commercial strategy, at Cozumel International Airport’s Terminal 2 we completed an expansion of 2,218 square meters (approximately 23,900 square feet) and a remodeling of 1,132 square meters (approximately 12,200 square feet) in 2001, giving us a Terminal 2 building with a total of 9,831 square meters (approximately 105,820 square feet) of which 2,920 square meters (approximately 31,434 square feet) are for commercial use.
The airport has a commercial runway with a length of 2,700 meters (1.7 miles). The airport has one main commercial terminal with four remote boarding positions. The airport also has a general aviation building for small private aircraft.
On August 20, 2007, Hurricane Dean struck the Yucatan Peninsula. Although the Cozumel airport was not damaged, we closed the airport as a safety precaution for approximately 10 hours, resulting in the cancellation of four flights.
Villahermosa International Airport
Villahermosa International Airport is located in the state of Tabasco, approximately 75 kilometers (46.9 miles) from Palenque, a Mayan archeological site. The city of Villahermosa has a population of approximately 558,524. Oil exploration is the principal business activity in the Villahermosa area, and most of the airport’s passengers are businesspeople working in the oil industry. During 2007, the airport served 853,792 passengers, substantially all of which arrived on domestic flights. The airport’s most important point of origin and destination is Mexico City.
The airport has one runway with a length of 2,200 meters (1.4 miles). The airport’s Terminal 2 has six remote parking positions, with three served by boarding bridges.
As a result of a modernization project carried out in 2006 the airport’s commercial aviation apron was extended by a total of 12,521 square meters (approximately 134,634 square feet), representing an increase of 87%. The terminal building was expanded from 5,463 square meters (approximately 58,741 square feet) to 9,584 square meters (approximately 103,161 square feet), representing an increase of 77%.
On October 29, 2007, the City of Villahermosa and approximately 80% of the state of Tabasco were affected by severe flooding. As a result, the Villahermosa airport was used for evacuations on November 1 and 2, 2007, and was used extensively by the military on November 3 and 4 for rescue and first aid efforts. Although the flooding did not damage the airport infrastructure, passenger traffic was adversely affected. Normal levels of passenger traffic to the airport have since been restored.

 

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Oaxaca International Airport
Oaxaca International Airport serves the city of Oaxaca, which is the capital of the state of Oaxaca. The city of Oaxaca, located 390 kilometers (243.8 miles) from the Pacific coast, has a population of approximately 65,873. The airport served 514,038 passengers in 2007, most of which were domestic. The airport’s passengers are primarily Mexican businesspeople and tourists, thus its passenger volume and results of operations are dependent on Mexican economic conditions. Oaxaca is a picturesque colonial city located near several tourist attractions, including the archeological ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla. The airport’s most important point of origin and destination is Mexico City.
The airport has one runway with a length of 2,450 meters (1.5 miles) and a Terminal 2 building with six remote positions. The airport also includes a general aviation building for small private airplanes with 20 positions.
Ongoing public demonstrations in the city of Oaxaca that began as a teachers’ strike adversely affected passenger traffic to Oaxaca International Airport in 2006 and during the first half of 2007. The unrest has now largely subsided, and passenger traffic has returned to normal levels.
Veracruz International Airport
Veracruz International Airport is located in the city of Veracruz along the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Veracruz has a population of approximately 512,310. Veracruz is the busiest port in Mexico in terms of commercial traffic, and is the location of the country’s largest container terminal. According to the Mexican Bureau of Ports, Veracruz accounted for 13.6% of all waterborne cargo handled by Mexican ports in 2007. In 2007, the airport served 976,606 passengers. Because the airport’s passengers are primarily Mexican business people, its passenger volume and results of operations are dependent on Mexican economic conditions. The airport’s most important point of origin and destination is Mexico City.
The airport has two perpendicular runways, one with a length of 2,400 meters (1.5 miles) and another with a length of 1,523 meters (1.0 miles). The airport has one main commercial terminal. The airport also has a general aviation building for small private aircraft with 23 positions.
The original 4,065 square meters (43,700 square feet) of the terminal building at the airport were remodeled in 2005, and an extension of 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet) was added, representing an increase of 49%. In addition, special collapsible jetways were built to protect passengers during boarding and disembarking, along with a new international baggage reclaim facility and bigger, newer offices and facilities for federal authorities.
Huatulco International Airport
Huatulco International Airport serves the Huatulco resort area in the state of Oaxaca on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Huatulco has a population of approximately 33,194, and was developed as a tourist resort in the late 1980s. The airport served 375,930 passengers in 2007, most of which were domestic. The substantial majority of the airport’s passengers are international tourists, although many arrive through domestic flights and are thus classified as domestic. The airport’s most important points of origin and destination are Mexico City, Monterrey and Oaxaca.

 

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The airport has one runway with a length of 2,700 meters (1.7 miles). The airport’s Terminal 2 has five remote positions. The airport has a general aviation building for small private airplanes with eight positions.
Tapachula International Airport
Tapachula International Airport serves the city of Tapachula, which has a population of approximately 282,420 and the state of Chiapas. In 2007, the airport served 210,921 passengers, substantially all of which were domestic. The airport’s passenger volume and results of operations are dependent on Mexican economic conditions since virtually all of its passengers are domestic. The airport’s most important point of origin and destination is Mexico City.
The airport has one runway with a length of 2,000 meters (1.3 miles). The airport has one Terminal 2 with three remote boarding positions. The airport also has a general aviation building for small private aircraft with 24 boarding positions.
Minatitlan Airport
Minatitlan Airport is located near the Gulf of Mexico, 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) from the city of Coatzacoalcos, 11 kilometers (6.9 miles) from the city of Cosoleacaque and 26 kilometers (16.2 miles) from the city of Minatitlan. The metropolitan area comprised of these three cities has a population of approximately 537,316. In 2007, the airport served 188,877 passengers. In recent years, the airport’s passenger traffic has decreased due to lower oil and petrochemical industry activity in Coatzacoalcos and Cosoleacaque. The airport’s passengers are principally domestic business people drawn by the area’s petrochemical and agriculture businesses. Because the airport’s passengers are primarily Mexican travelers, its passenger volume and results of operations are dependent on Mexican economic conditions. The airport’s most important point of origin and destination is Mexico City.
On August 21, 2006, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation declared Minatitlan Airport an international airport.
The airport has one runway with a length of 2,100 meters (1.3 miles). The airport’s main terminal (Terminal 2) has four remote parking positions. The airport has a general aviation building for small private airplanes with 30 boarding positions.
Principal Air Traffic Customers
As of December 31, 2007, 103 international airlines and 19 Mexican airlines operated flights at our nine airports (including airlines operating solely on a code share basis). A code share arrangement means that airlines that do not fly their own aircraft into our airports arrange to share the passenger space in another airline’s aircraft, with both airlines booking passengers through the same code.
Grupo Mexicana, whose subsidiaries include Mexicana and Click Mexicana (formerly known as Aerocaribe), operates the most flights at our airports, with Grupo Aeromexico providing the second highest number of flights. Grupo Mexicana is owned by Grupo Posadas, S.A. de C.V., the largest hotel operator in Mexico, one of whose board members is our Chairman and CEO, Fernando Chico Pardo. Grupo Aeromexico and Grupo Mexicana also control other airlines operating in our airports, including Aerocozumel and Aeromexpress, as well as the largest provider of baggage and ramp handling services at our airports, Servicios de Apoyo en Tierra, or SEAT.

 

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Among foreign airlines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines operate the greatest number of flights to and from our airports. In 2005, American Airlines and Continental Airlines accounted for 6.1% and 5.1%, respectively, of our total revenues. In 2006, American Airlines and Continental Airlines accounted for 5.8% and 4.7%, respectively, of our revenues. In 2007, American Airlines and Continental Airlines accounted for 4.7% and 4.5%, respectively, of our revenues.
The following table sets forth our principal air traffic customers based on the percentage of revenues they represented for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007:
Principal Air Traffic Customers
                         
    Percentage of ASUR Revenues  
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
Customer
                       
Compania Mexicana de Aviacion, S.A. de C.V. (Mexicana)
    10.4 %     9.1 %     7.1 %
Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Aeromexico)
    5.1 %     5.9 %     4.9 %
American Airlines
    6.1 %     5.8 %     4.7 %
Continental Airlines
    5.1 %     4.7 %     4.5 %
Consorcio Aviacsa, S.A. de C.V.
    4.3 %     4.2 %     3.9 %
Aerovias Caribe, S.A. de C.V. (Click)
    3.3 %     3.5 %     3.6 %
USA Airways Inc.
    3.4 %     3.0 %     3.0 %
Delta Airlines Inc.
    2.0 %     2.4 %     2.5 %
Aviation Support S.A. de C.V.
    2.2 %     2.9 %     2.4 %
Aviacion Comercial Especializada S.A. de C.V.
    3.8 %     3.0 %     2.1 %
Petroservicios de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
    2.1 %     0.5 %     0.5 %
Other
    52.2 %     55.0 %     60.8 %
 
                 
Total
    100 %     100. %     100. %
 
                 
Seasonality
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. In general, demand for air travel is typically higher during the summer months and during the winter holiday season, particularly in international markets, because there is more vacation travel during these periods. Our results of operations generally reflect this seasonality, but have also been impacted by numerous other factors that are not necessarily seasonal, including economic conditions, war or threat of war, weather, air traffic control delays and general economic conditions, as well as the other factors discussed above. As a result, our operating results for a quarterly period are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire year, and historical operating results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Competition
Since our business is substantially dependent on international tourists, our principal competition is from competing tourist destinations. We believe that the main competitors to Cancun are vacation destinations in Mexico, such as Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, and elsewhere such as Puerto Rico, Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean island and Central American resorts. In March 2000, a new airport opened in Chichen Itza. This airport is operated by the former operator of the charter terminal in Cancun Airport. In addition, the Mexican government has announced its intention, at some point in the future, to grant a concession for a new airport in the Mayan Riviera through a public bidding process. In October 2004, the Mexican state of Quintana Roo formed a majority state-owned company, Aeropuerto Internacional de la Riviera Maya, S.A. de C.V., to seek any such concession that may be granted. Currently, the Mayan Riviera is served primarily by Cancun Airport. ASUR has no further details on the construction or projected opening of the airport and is unable to predict the effect that it may have on our passenger traffic or operating results if the project is successfully carried out.

 

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The relative attractiveness of the locations we serve is dependent on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include promotional activities and pricing policies of hotel and resort operators, weather conditions, natural disasters (such as hurricanes) and the development of new resorts that may be considered more attractive. There can be no assurance that the locations we serve will continue to attract the same level of passenger traffic in the future.
Excluding Cancun Airport, our airports generally do not face significant competition. The Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency currently operates seven small airports in Mexico’s southeast region. The Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency estimates that its airports collectively account for less than 10% of the passenger traffic in the region.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Sources of Regulation
The following are the principal laws, regulations and instruments that govern our business and the operation of our airports:
  the Mexican Airport Law, enacted December 22, 1995,
 
  the regulations to the Mexican Airport Law, enacted February 17, 2000,
 
  the Mexican Communications Law, enacted February 19, 1940,
 
  the Mexican Civil Aviation Law, enacted May 12, 1995,
 
  the Mexican Federal Duties Law, enacted December 31, 1981,
 
  the Mexican National Assets Law, enacted May 20, 2004, and
 
  the concessions that entitle our subsidiaries to operate our nine airports, which were granted in 1998 and amended in 1999.
The Mexican Airport Law and the regulations to the Mexican Airport Law establish the general framework regulating the construction, operation, maintenance and development of Mexican airport facilities. The Mexican Airport Law’s stated intent is to promote the expansion, development and modernization of Mexico’s airport infrastructure by encouraging investment and competition.

 

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Under the Mexican Airport Law, a concession granted by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is required to construct, operate, maintain or develop a public service airport in Mexico. A concession generally must be granted pursuant to a public bidding process, except for: (i) concessions granted to (a) entities considered part of “the federal public administration” as defined under Mexican law and (b) private companies whose principal stockholder may be a state or municipal government; (ii) concessions granted to operators of private airports (who have operated privately for five or more years) wishing to begin operating their facilities as public service airports; and (iii) complementary concessions granted to existing concession holders. Complementary concessions may be granted only under certain limited circumstances, such as where an existing concession holder can demonstrate, among other things, that the award of the complementary concession is necessary to satisfy passenger demand. In 1998, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation granted nine concessions to operate, maintain and develop the nine principal airports in Mexico’s southeast region to our subsidiaries. Because our subsidiaries were considered entities of the federal public administration at the time the concessions were granted, the concessions were awarded without a public bidding process. Each of our concessions was amended on March 19, 1999 in order, among other things, to incorporate each airport’s maximum rates and certain other terms as part of the concession.
The Mexican National Assets Law among other items establishes regulations relating to concessions on real property held in the public domain, including the airports that we operate. The Mexican National Assets Law requires concessionaires of real property held in the public domain that are used for administrative or other non-public purposes to pay a tax. In addition, the Mexican National Assets Law establishes grounds for revocation of concessions for failure to pay this tax.
To our knowledge, the constitutionality of the Mexican National Assets Law has not been challenged in Mexico’s court system. If challenged in the future, a court could declare the tax void or determine an alternate amount. We do not expect this tax to materially affect our results of operations or financial condition.
On February 17, 2000 the regulations to the Mexican Airport Law were issued. Although we believe we are currently complying with the principal requirements of the Mexican Airport Law and its regulations, we are not in compliance with certain requirements under the regulations. These violations could result in fines or other sanctions being assessed by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, and are among the violations that could result in termination of a concession if they occur three or more times.
In October 2007, a bill was introduced in Mexico’s Congress to amend the Mexican Airport Law. The bill proposes to establish an autonomous Federal Airport Services Commission which would be charged with regulating airport service providers; require the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to consult with the Competition Commission on policy decisions and the granting of concessions; allow the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to consider economic efficiency and reductions in user costs when granting airport concessions; permit the Federal Airport Services Commission to conduct auctions for take-off and landing slots at saturated airports; allow the Federal Airport Services Commission to require equal participation by investors and Mexican businesses in providing regulated services and to require airports to obtain an annual accreditation.

 

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Role of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation
The Ministry of Communications and Transportation is the principal regulator of airports in Mexico and is authorized by the Mexican Airport Law to perform the following functions:
  grant, modify and revoke concessions for the operation of airports,
 
  establish air transit rules and rules regulating take-off and landing schedules through the Mexican air traffic control authority,
 
  take all necessary action to create an efficient, competitive and non-discriminatory market for airport-related services,
 
  approve any transaction or transactions that directly or indirectly may result in a change of control of a concession holder,
 
  approve the master development plans prepared by each concession holder every five years,
 
  determine each airport’s maximum rates,
 
  approve any agreements entered into between a concession holder and a third party providing airport or complementary services at its airport,
 
  establish safety regulations,
 
  monitor airport facilities to determine their compliance with the Mexican Airport Law, other applicable laws and the terms of the concessions, and
 
  impose penalties for failure to observe and perform the rules under the Mexican Airport Law, the Mexican Airport Law regulations and the concessions.
In addition, under the Mexican Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration, the Mexican Airport Law and the Mexican Civil Aviation Law, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is required to provide air traffic control, radio assistance and aeronautical communications at Mexico’s airports. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation provides these services through SENEAM, the Mexican air traffic control authority, which is a division of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Since 1978, the Mexican air traffic control authority has provided air traffic control for Mexico’s airports.
New Regulatory Agency
The Ministry of Communications and Transportation has announced that it intends to establish a new regulatory agency. This new agency is expected to be authorized to monitor our activities and those of the other new airport groups, to enforce applicable regulations and to propose amendments to concessions, to set maximum rates, to resolve disputes between concession holders and airport users (such as airlines) and to collect and distribute information relating to the airport sector. The proposal made in Mexico’s Congress in October 2007 to amend the Mexican Airport Law would establish such an agency. However, this initiative has not been approved, and no date for the establishment of this new regulatory agency has been publicly announced.

 

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Scope of Concessions and General Obligations of Concession Holders
As authorized under the Mexican Airport Law, each of the concessions held by our subsidiaries is for an initial 50-year term from November 1, 1998. This initial term of each of our concessions may be renewed in one or more terms for up to an additional 50 years, subject to the concession holder’s acceptance of any new conditions imposed by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation and to its compliance with the terms of its concession.
The concessions held by our subsidiary concession holders allow the relevant concession holder, during the term of the concession, to: (i) operate, maintain and develop its airport and carry out any necessary construction in order to render airport, complementary and commercial services as provided under the Mexican Airport Law and the Mexican Airport Law regulations; and (ii) use and develop the assets that comprise the airport that is the subject of the concession (consisting of the airport’s real estate and improvements but excluding assets used in connection with fuel supply and storage). These assets are government-owned assets, subject to the Mexican National Assets Law. Upon expiration of a concession, these assets automatically revert to the Mexican government.
Substantially all of contracts entered into by the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency with respect to each of our airports have been assigned to the relevant concession holder for each airport. As part of this assignment, each concession holder agreed to indemnify the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency for any loss suffered by the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency due to the concession holder’s breach of its obligations under an assigned agreement.
Under the Mexican Federal Duties Law, each of our subsidiary concession holders is required to pay the Mexican government a concession fee based on its gross annual revenues from the use of public domain assets pursuant to the terms of its concession. Currently, this concession fee is set at a rate of 5% and may be revised annually by the Mexican Congress. Our concessions provide that we may request an amendment of our maximum rates if there is a change in this concession fee.
Concession holders are required to provide airport security. If public order or national security is endangered, the competent federal authorities are authorized to act to protect the safety of aircraft, passengers, cargo, mail, installations and equipment.
Each concession holder and any third party providing services at an airport is required to carry specified insurance in amounts and covering specified risks, such as damage to persons and property at the airport, in each case as specified by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. To date the Ministry of Communications and Transportation has not specified the required amounts of insurance. We cannot assure you that we will not be required to obtain additional insurance once these amounts are specified.
ASUR and our subsidiary concession holders are jointly and severally liable to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation for the performance of all obligations under the concessions held by our subsidiaries. Each of our subsidiary concession holders is responsible for the performance of the obligations set forth in its concession, including the obligations arising from third-party contracts, as well as for any damages to the Mexican government-owned assets which they use and to third-party airport users. In the event of a breach of one concession, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is authorized to revoke all of the concessions held by our subsidiaries.

 

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The shares of a concession holder and the rights under a concession may be subject to a lien only with the approval of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. No agreement documenting liens approved by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation may allow the beneficiary of a pledge to become a concession holder under any circumstances.
A concession holder may not assign any of its rights or obligations under its concession without the authorization of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation is authorized to consent to an assignment only if the proposed assignee satisfies the requirements to be a concession holder under the Mexican Airport Law, undertakes to comply with the obligations under the relevant concession and agrees to any other conditions that the Ministry may require.
Classification of Services Provided at Airports
The Mexican Airport Law and the Mexican Airport Law regulations classify the services that may be rendered at an airport into the following three categories:
  Airport Services. Airport services may be rendered only by the holder of a concession or a third party that has entered into an agreement with the concession holder to provide such services. These services include: —the use of airport runways, taxiways and aprons for landing, aircraft parking and departure, —the use of hangars, passenger walkways, transport buses and automobile parking facilities, —the provision of airport security services, rescue and firefighting services, ground traffic control, lighting and visual aids, —the general use of terminal space and other infrastructure by aircraft, passengers and cargo, and —the provision of access to an airport to third parties providing complementary services (as defined in the Mexican Airport Law) and third parties providing permanent ground transport services (such as taxis).
 
  Complementary Services. Complementary services may be rendered by an airline, by the airport operator or by a third party under agreements with airlines or the airport operator. These services include: —ramp and handling services, —passenger check-in, and —aircraft security, catering, cleaning, maintenance, repair and fuel supply and related activities that provide support to air carriers.
 
  Commercial Services. Commercial services involve services that are not considered essential to the operation of an airport or aircraft, and include: —the leasing of space to retailers, restaurants and banks and —advertising.
Third parties rendering airport, complementary or commercial services are required to do so pursuant to a written agreement with the relevant concession holder. All agreements relating to airport or complementary services are required to be approved by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. The Mexican Airport Law provides that the concession holder is jointly liable with these third parties for compliance with the terms of the relevant concession with respect to the services provided by such third parties. All third-party service providers of complementary services are required to be corporations incorporated under Mexican law.

 

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Airport and complementary services are required to be provided to all users in a uniform and regular manner, without discrimination as to quality, access or price. Concession holders are required to provide airport and complementary services on a priority basis to military aircraft, disaster support aircraft and aircraft experiencing emergencies. Airport and complementary services are required to be provided at no cost to military aircraft and aircraft performing national security activities.
In the event of force majeure, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation may impose additional regulations governing the provision of services at airports, but only to the extent necessary to address the force majeure event. The Mexican Airport Law allows the airport administrator appointed by a concession holder to suspend the provision of airport services in the event of force majeure.
A concession holder is also required to take all necessary measures to create a competitive market for complementary services. Due to space, efficiency and safety considerations, a concession holder may limit the number of providers of complementary services in its airport. If the number of complementary service providers must be limited due to these considerations, contracts for the provision of complementary services must be awarded through a competitive bidding process.
Master Development Plans
Concession holders are also required to submit to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation a master development plan describing, among other things, the concession holder’s construction and maintenance plans.
Each master development plan is for a fifteen-year period and is required to be updated every five years and resubmitted for approval to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Upon such approval, the master development plan is deemed to constitute a part of the relevant concession. Any major construction, renovation or expansion of an airport may only be made pursuant to a concession holder’s master development plan or upon approval by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Information required to be presented in the master development plan includes:
  airport growth and development expectancies,
 
  fifteen-year projections for air traffic demand (including passenger, cargo and operations),
 
  construction, conservation, maintenance, expansion and modernization programs for infrastructure, facilities and equipment,
 
  five-year detailed investment program and planned major investments for the following ten years,
 
  probable sources of financing,
 
  descriptive airport plans, and
 
  environmental protection measures.

 

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The concessions require the concession holder to engage recognized independent consultants to conduct polls among airport users with respect to current and expected quality standards, and to prepare air traffic projections and investment requirements. The concession holder must submit a draft of the master development plan to airport users for their review and comments. Further, the concession holder must submit the master development plan to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation prior to the expiration of the five-year term. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation may request additional information or clarification as well as seek further comments from airport users.
Changes to a master development plan and investment program require the approval of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, except for emergency repairs and minor works that do not adversely affect an airport’s operations.
On December 30, 2003, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation approved our current master development plans. The current terms of the updated master development plans went into effect on January 1, 2004, and will be in effect until December 31, 2008. New master development plans are currently under review by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
The following table sets forth our committed investments for each airport pursuant to the terms of our current master development plans for the periods presented. Even though we have committed to invest the amounts in the table, those amounts could be lower or higher depending on the cost of each project.
Committed Investments
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     Total  
    (thousands of pesos)(1)  
Cancun(2)
  Ps. 345,651     Ps. 544,052     Ps. 818,764     Ps. 509,244     Ps. 490,081     Ps. 2,707,792  
Mérida
    25,915       28,513       47,596       32,091       2,388       136,503  
Cozumel
    10,905       70,984       12,802       16,751       11,142       122,584  
Villahermosa
    48,781       65,446       6,544       12,236       1,340       134,347  
Oaxaca
    22,125       21,763       10,554       6,816       4,969       66,227  
Veracruz
    25,890       21,904       11,953       11,529       1,540       72,816  
Huatulco
    10,105       5,608       4,106       7,013       54,084       80,916  
Tapachula
    20,787       4,576       9,484       8,395       825       44,067  
Minatitlan
    10,864       6,334       4,978       2,081       3,151       27,408  
 
                                   
Total
  Ps. 521,023     Ps. 769,180     Ps. 926,781     Ps. 606,156     Ps. 569,520     Ps. 3,392,660  
 
                                   
 
     
(1)   Expressed in constant pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 based on the Mexican construction price index in accordance with the terms of our master development plan.
 
(2)   The master development plan for Cancun airport was modified in the fourth quarter of 2005 to reflect our decision to build a new terminal rather than implement extensive expansion and remodeling of existing terminals, and to reflect an accelerated timetable for the construction of a second runway once the necessary land was received from the government. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation approved the modified plan and recognized a decrease of Ps. 123 million in investments as of December 31, 2007.

 

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Price Regulation
The Mexican Airport Law provides that the Ministry of Communications and Transportation may establish price regulations for services for which the Competition Commission determines that a competitive market does not exist. On March 9, 1999, the Competition Commission issued a ruling stating that competitive markets generally do not exist for airport services and airport access provided to third parties rendering complementary services. This ruling authorized the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to establish regulations governing the prices that may be charged for airport services and access fees that may be charged to providers of complementary services in our airports. On March 19, 1999, a new regulation, the Rate Regulation, was incorporated within the terms of each of our concessions. The Rate Regulation, which became effective May 1, 1999, establishes the annual maximum rates for each of our concession holders, which is the maximum amount of revenue per work load unit (one passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo) in a given year that the concession holder may earn at its airports from all regulated revenue sources.
Regulated Revenues
The Rate Regulation establishes a “dual-till” system of price regulation under which certain of our revenues, such as passenger charges, landing charges, aircraft parking charges and access fees from third parties providing complementary services at our airports, are regulated, while the revenues that we earn from commercial activities in our terminals, such as the leasing of space to duty-free stores, retailers, restaurants, car rental companies and banks, are not regulated.
The Rate Regulation provides that the following sources of revenues are regulated under this “dual-till” system:
  revenues from airport services (as defined under the Mexican Airport Law), other than automobile parking, and
  access fees earned from third parties providing complementary services, other than those related to the establishment of administrative quarters that the Ministry of Communications and Transportation determines to be non-essential.
All other sources of revenues at our airports are not regulated. Approximately 74.6%, 74.7% and 71.5% of our revenues in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, were derived from regulated sources of revenue.
Each concession holder is entitled to determine the prices charged for each regulated service and is required to register such prices with the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Once registered, those prices are deemed part of its concession, and may only be changed every six months or earlier if there has been a cumulative increase of at least 5% in the Mexican producer price index (excluding petroleum) as published by the Mexican Central Bank since the date of the last adjustment and in other specific circumstances. See “—Special Adjustments to Maximum Rates.”

 

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Current Maximum Rates
Each airport’s maximum rates from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008 were set by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation in December 2003, and will be determined for the next five-year period during the course of 2008.
The following table sets forth the maximum rates for each of our airports for the periods indicated. These maximum rates are subject to adjustment only under the limited circumstances described below under “Special Adjustments to Maximum Rates.”
                                         
    Maximum Rates(1)(2)  
    Year ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
 
                                       
Cancun
  Ps. 129.96     Ps. 128.98     Ps. 128.02     Ps. 127.05     Ps. 126.10  
Merida
    97.94       97.21       96.49       95.76       95.04  
Cozumel
    139.43       138.38       137.36       136.32       135.30  
Villahermosa
    113.47       112.62       111.78       110.93       110.11  
Oaxaca
    119.64       118.74       117.86       116.96       116.09  
Veracruz
    101.63       100.86       100.11       99.35       98.61  
Huatulco
    114.94       114.09       113.23       112.37       111.54  
Tapachula
    142.93       141.86       140.81       139.75       138.71  
Minatitlan
    121.83       120.91       120.01       119.10       118.21  
 
     
(1)   Expressed in adjusted pesos as of December 31, 2007 based on the Mexican producer price index (excluding petroleum).
 
(2)   Our concessions provide that each airport’s maximum rate may be adjusted annually to take account of projected improvements in efficiency. For the five-year period ending December 31, 2008, the maximum rates applicable to our airports reflect a projected annual efficiency improvement of .75%.
Methodology For Determining Future Maximum Rates
The Rate Regulation provides that each airport’s annual maximum rates are to be determined in five-year intervals based on the following variables:
  Projections for the fifteen-year period of work load units (each of which is equivalent to one passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo), operating costs and expenses (excluding amortization and depreciation) related to services subject to price regulation.
 
  Projections for the fifteen-year period of capital expenditures related to regulated services, based on air traffic forecasts and quality of standards for services to be derived from the master development plans.
 
  Reference values, which were established in the concessions and are designed to reflect the net present value of the regulated revenues minus the corresponding regulated operating costs and expenses (excluding amortization and depreciation), and capital expenditures related to the provision of regulated services plus a terminal value.
 
  A discount rate to be determined by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. The concessions provide that the discount rate shall reflect the cost of capital to Mexican and international companies in the airport industry (on a pre-tax basis), as well as Mexican economic conditions. The concessions provide that the discount rate shall be at least equal to the average yield of long-term Mexican government debt securities quoted in the international markets during the prior twenty four months plus a risk premium to be determined by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation based on the inherent risk of the airport business in Mexico.

 

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Our concessions specify a discounted cash flow formula to be used to determine the maximum rates that, given the projected pre-tax earnings, capital expenditures and discount rate, would result in a net present value equal to the reference values established in connection with the last determination of maximum rates.
Our concessions provide that each airport’s maximum rate may be adjusted annually to take account of projected improvements in efficiency. For the five-year period ending December 31, 2008, the maximum rates applicable to our airports reflect a projected annual efficiency improvement of 0.75%.
The concessions provide that each airport’s reference values, discount rate and the other variables used in calculating the maximum rates are not guarantees and do not in any manner represent an undertaking by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation or the Mexican government as to the performance of any concession holder. To the extent that the revenues from services subject to price regulation in any period are less than an airport’s maximum rate multiplied by the work load units processed for such period, no adjustment will be made to compensate for this shortfall.
To the extent that such aggregate revenues per work load unit exceed the relevant maximum rate, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation may proportionately reduce the maximum rate in the immediately subsequent year and assess penalties equivalent to 1,000 to 50,000 times the general minimum wage in the Federal District (Mexico City). On January 1, 2008, the daily minimum wage in Mexico City was Ps.  52.59. As a result, the maximum penalty at such date could have been Ps. 2.6 million (U.S.$240,892). In the event that a concession holder fails to comply with certain terms of its concession, or violates certain other terms of its concession after having been sanctioned at least three times for violation of that concession, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is entitled to revoke its concession. We would face similar sanctions for any violations of the Mexican Airport Law or its regulations. A full discussion of circumstances that might lead to a revocation of a concession may be found below at “Penalties and Termination and Revocation of Concessions and Concession Assets.”
Currently, our calculation of work load units (one passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo does not include transit passengers. There is a possibility that in the future our work load units may include transit passengers and the Ministry of Communications and Transportation will decrease our maximum rates to reflect this higher passenger base. Although there can be no assurance, we do not expect this change to occur in the short term or have a material adverse effect on our revenues if and when it happens.
Special Adjustments to Maximum Rates
Once determined, each airport’s maximum rates are subject to special adjustment only under the following circumstances:
  Change in law or natural disasters. A concession holder may request an adjustment in its maximum rates if a change in law with respect to quality standards or safety and environmental protection results in operating costs or capital expenditures that were not contemplated when its maximum rates were determined. In addition, a concession holder may also request an adjustment in its maximum rates if a natural disaster affects demand or requires unanticipated capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that any request on these grounds would be approved, or that we would make such a request.

 

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  Macroeconomic conditions. A concession holder may also request an adjustment in its maximum rates if, as a result of a decrease of at least 5% in Mexican gross domestic product in a 12-month period, the work load units processed in the concession holder’s airport are less than that projected when its maximum rates were determined. To grant an adjustment under these circumstances, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation must have already allowed the concession holder to decrease its projected capital improvements as a result of the decline in passenger traffic volume. There can be no assurance that any request on these grounds would be approved, or that we would make such a request.
  Increase in concession fee under Mexican Federal Duties Law. An increase in duty payable by a concession holder under the Mexican Federal Duties Law entitles the concession holder to request an adjustment in its maximum rates. There can be no assurance that any request on these grounds would be approved.
  Failure to make required investments or improvements. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation annually is required to review each concession holder’s compliance with its master development plan (including the provision of services and the making of capital investments). If a concession holder fails to satisfy any of the investment commitments contained in its master development plan, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is entitled to decrease the concession holder’s maximum rates and assess penalties.
  Excess revenues. In the event that revenues subject to price regulation per work load unit in any year exceed the applicable maximum rate, the maximum rate for the following year will be decreased to compensate airport users for overpayment in the previous year. Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation is also entitled to assess penalties against the concession holder.
Ownership Commitments and Restrictions
The concessions require us to retain a 51% direct ownership interest in each of our nine concession holders throughout the term of these concessions. Any acquisition by us or one of our concession holders of any additional airport concessions or of a beneficial interest of 30% or more of another concession holder requires the consent of the Competition Commission. In addition, the concessions prohibit us and our concession holders, collectively or individually, from acquiring more than one concession for the operation of an airport along each of Mexico’s southern and northern borders.
Air carriers are prohibited under the Mexican Airport Law from controlling or beneficially owning 5% or more of the shares of a holder of an airport concession. We, and each of our subsidiaries, are similarly restricted from owning 5% or more of the shares of any air carrier.
Foreign governments acting in a sovereign capacity are prohibited from owning any direct or indirect equity interest in a holder of an airport concession.

 

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Reporting, Information and Consent Requirements
Concession holders and third parties providing services at airports are required to provide the Ministry of Communications and Transportation access to all airport facilities and information relating to an airport’s construction, operation, maintenance and development. Each concession holder is obligated to maintain statistical records of operations and air traffic movements in its airport and to provide the Ministry of Communications and Transportation with any information that it may request. Each concession holder is also required to publish its annual audited consolidated financial statements in a principal Mexican newspaper within the first four months of each year.
The Mexican Airport Law provides that any person or group directly or indirectly acquiring control of a concession holder is required to obtain the consent of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to such control acquisition. For purposes of this requirement, control is deemed to be acquired in the following circumstances:
  if a person acquires 35% or more of the shares of a concession holder,
  if a person has the ability to control the outcome of meetings of the stockholders of a concession holder,
  if a person has the ability to appoint a majority of the members of the board of directors of a concession holder, and
  if a person by any other means acquires control of an airport.
Under the regulations to the Mexican Airport Law, any company acquiring control of a concession holder is deemed to be jointly and severally liable with the concession holder for the performance of the terms and conditions of the concession.
The Ministry of Communications and Transportation is required to be notified upon any change in a concession holder’s chief executive officer, board of directors or management. A concession holder is also required to notify the Ministry of Communications and Transportation at least ninety days prior to the adoption of any amendment to its bylaws concerning the dissolution, corporate purpose, merger, transformation or spin-off of the concession holder.
Penalties and Termination and Revocation of Concessions and Concession Assets
The Mexican Airport Law provides that sanctions of up to 400,000 times the minimum daily wage in the Federal District (Mexico City) may be assessed for failures to comply with the terms of a concession. On January 1, 2008, the daily minimum wage in Mexico City was Ps. 52.59. As a result, the maximum penalty at such date could have been Ps. 21.04 million (U.S.$ 1.9 million).
Under the Mexican Airport Law and the terms of the concessions, a concession may be terminated upon any of the following events:
  expiration of its term,
  surrender by the concession holder,
  revocation of the concession by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation,

 

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  reversion (rescate) of the Mexican government-owned assets that are the subject of the concession (principally real estate, improvements and other infrastructure),
  inability to achieve the purpose of the concession, except in the event of force majeure, or
  dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of the concession holder.
The Mexican National Assets Law, published in the Diario Oficial de la Federacion on May 20, 2004, among other items, establishes regulations relating to concessions on real property held in the public domain, including the airports that we operate. The Mexican National Assets Law requires concessionaires of real property held in the public domain that are used for administrative or other non-public purposes to pay a tax. In addition, the Mexican National Assets Law establishes new grounds for revocation of concessions for failure to pay this tax.
A concession’s termination does not exempt the concession holder from liability in connection with the obligations acquired during the term of the concession.
Upon termination, whether as a result of expiration or revocation, the public domain assets (including real estate and fixtures) that were the subject of the concession automatically revert to the Mexican government at no cost. In addition, upon termination the Mexican federal government has a preemptive right to acquire privately owned assets used by the concession holder to provide services under the concession at prices determined by expert appraisers appointed by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Alternatively, the Mexican government may elect to lease these assets for up to five years at fair market rates as determined by expert appraisers appointed by the Mexican government and the concession holder. In the event of a discrepancy between appraisals, a third expert appraiser must be jointly appointed by the Mexican government and the concession holder. If the concession holder does not appoint an expert appraiser, or if such appraiser fails to determine a price, the determination of the appraiser appointed by the Mexican government will be conclusive. If the Mexican government chooses to lease the assets, it may thereafter purchase the assets at their fair market value, as determined by an expert appraiser jointly appointed by the Mexican government and the concession holder.
A concession may be revoked by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation under certain conditions, including:
  the failure by a concession holder to begin operating, maintaining and developing an airport pursuant to the terms established in the concession,
  the failure by a concession holder to maintain insurance as required under the Mexican Airport Law,
  the assignment, encumbrance, transfer or sale of a concession, any of the rights thereunder or the assets underlying the concession in violation of the Mexican Airport Law,
  any alteration of the nature or condition of an airport’s facilities without the authorization of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation,
  consent to the use, or without the approval of air traffic control authorities, of an airport by any aircraft that does not comply with the requirements of the Mexican Civil Aviation Law, that has not been authorized by the Mexican air traffic control authority, or that is involved in the commission of a felony,

 

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  knowingly appointing or maintaining a chief executive officer or board member of a concession holder that is not qualified to perform his functions under the law as a result of having violated criminal laws,
  a violation of the safety regulations established in the Mexican Airport Law and other applicable laws,
  a total or partial interruption of the operation of an airport or its airport or complementary services without justified cause,
  the failure of ASUR to own at least 51% of the capital stock of its subsidiary concession holders,
  the failure to maintain the airport’s facilities,
  the provision of unauthorized services,
  the failure to indemnify a third party for damages caused by the provision of services by the concession holder or a third-party service provider,
  charging prices higher than those registered with the Ministry of Communications and Transportation for regulated services or exceeding the applicable maximum rate,
  any act or omission that impedes the ability of other service providers or authorities to carry out their functions within the airport, or
  any other failure to comply with the Mexican Airport Law, its regulations and the terms of a concession.
The Ministry of Communications and Transportation is entitled to revoke a concession without prior notice as a result of the first six events described above. In the case of other violations, a concession may be revoked as a result of a violation only if sanctions have been imposed at least three times with respect to the same violation.
According to the Mexican National Assets Law, Mexico’s national patrimony consists of private and government-owned assets of the Federation. The surface area of our airports and improvements on such space are considered government-owned assets. A concession concerning government-owned assets may be reverted to the Mexican government prior to the concession’s expiration, when considered necessary for the public interest. In exchange, the Mexican government is required to pay compensation, taking into consideration investments made and depreciation of the relevant assets, but not the value of the assets subject to the concessions, based on the basis and methodology set forth in the reversion (rescate) resolutions issued by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Following a declaration of reversion, the assets that were subject to the concession are automatically returned to the Mexican government.

 

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In the event of war, natural disaster, grave disruption of the public order or an imminent threat to national security, internal peace or the economy, the Mexican government may carry out a requisition (requisa — step-in rights) with respect to our airports. The step-in rights may be exercised by the Mexican government as long as the circumstances warrant. In all cases, except international war, the Mexican government is required to indemnify us for damages and lost profits (daños y perjuicios) caused by such requisition, calculated at their real value (valor real); provided that if we were to contest the amount of such indemnification, the amount of the indemnity with respect to damages (daños) shall be fixed by expert appraisers appointed by us and the Mexican government, and the amount of the indemnity with respect to lost profits (perjuicios) shall be calculated taking into consideration the average net income during the year immediately prior to the requisition. In the event of requisition due to international war, the Mexican government would not be obligated to indemnify us.
Grants of New Concessions
The Mexican government may grant new concessions to manage, operate, develop and construct airports. Such concessions may be granted through a public bidding process in which bidders must demonstrate their technical, legal, managerial and financial capabilities. The Federal Competition Commission has the power, under certain circumstances, to prohibit a party from bidding, and to cancel an award after the process has concluded. In addition, the government may grant concessions without a public bidding process to the following entities:
    parties who hold permits to operate civil aerodromes and intend to transform the aerodrome into an airport so long as (i) the proposed change is consistent with the national airport development programs and policies, (ii) the civil aerodrome has been in continuous operation for the previous five years and (iii) the permit holder complies with all requirements of the concession,
 
    current concession holders when necessary to meet increased demand so long as (i) a new airport is necessary to increase existing capacity, (ii) the operation of both airports by a single concession holder is more efficient than other options, and (iii) the concession holder complies with all requirements of the concession,
 
    current concession holders when it is in the public interest for their airport to be relocated,
 
    entities in the federal public administration, and
 
    commercial entities in which local or municipal governments have a majority equity interest if the entities’ corporate purpose is to manage, operate, develop and/or construct airports.

 

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Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to Mexican federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The principal environmental laws include the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, or the Ecological Law, which is administered by the Federal Attorney’s Office for the Protection of the Environment, the enforcement arm of the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fishing, and the Law of National Waters and its regulations, which are administered by the National Water Commission. Under the Ecological Law, regulations have been promulgated concerning air pollution, environmental impact studies, noise control and hazardous wastes. The Ecological Law also regulates vibrations, thermal energy, soil pollution and visual pollution that result from construction, although the Mexican government has not yet issued specific enforcement standards on these issues. Pursuant to the Law of National Waters, companies that discharge waste water must comply with maximum allowable contaminant levels in order to preserve water quality. The Ecological Law also provides that companies that contaminate the soil are responsible for clean-up. Promulgated pursuant to the Ecological Law, Mexican Official Norms, which are technical regulations issued by a competent regulatory authority, establish standards relating to air emissions, discharges of pollution and waste water and the handling of hazardous waste. Mexican Official Norms also regulate noise pollution. The Federal Attorney’s Office for the Protection of the Environment can bring administrative, civil and criminal proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, and it also has the power to close non-complying facilities. Every company in Mexico is required to provide the National Institute of Ecology, the regulatory arm of the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fishing, with periodic reports regarding compliance with the Ecological Law and the regulations thereunder.
The level of environmental regulation in Mexico has increased in recent years, and the enforcement of the law is becoming more stringent. We expect this trend to continue and to be stimulated by international agreements between Mexico and the United States. We do not expect that compliance with Mexican environmental laws or Mexican state environmental laws will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that environmental regulations or the enforcement thereof will not change in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, prospects or financial condition.
The Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion Ambiental (PROFEPA) has issued “clean industry” certificates for all of our airports. These certificates certify compliance with applicable Mexican environmental law regulations. We are in compliance with the requirement to renew these certificates every two years.

 

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The following table sets forth our consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007, including our direct and indirect ownership interest in each:
         
Subsidiary   Ownership Interest  
 
       
Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V.
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V. (1)
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V.
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V. (2)
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V.
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V. (3)
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V.
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V. (4)
    99.99 %
 
       
Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V. (5)
    99.99 %
 
       
Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V.
    99.99 %
 
       
RH Asur, S.A. de C.V.
    99.99 %
     
(1)   As of January 2005, Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., has an 18.1% equity participation in this airport.
 
(2)   As of January 2005, Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., has a 24.2% equity participation in this airport.
 
(3)   As of January 2005, Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., has an 8.9% equity participation in this airport.
 
(4)   As of January 2005, Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., has a 30.0% equity participation in this airport.
 
(5)   As of October 2007, Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., has a 23.4% equity participation in this airport.
All of our subsidiaries are organized under the laws of Mexico.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Pursuant to the Mexican General Law of National Assets, all real estate and fixtures in our airports are owned by the Mexican nation. Each of our concessions is scheduled to terminate in 2048, although each concession may be extended one or more times for up to an aggregate of an additional fifty years. The option to extend a concession is subject to our acceptance of any changes to such concession that may be imposed by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation and our compliance with the terms of our current concessions. Upon expiration of our concessions, these assets automatically revert to the Mexican nation, including improvements we may have made during the terms of the concessions, free and clear of any liens and/or encumbrances, and we will be required to indemnify the Mexican government for damages to these assets, except for those caused by normal wear and tear.
Our corporate headquarters are located in Mexico City, and total 742.64 square meters. We also rent two warehouses totaling 128 square meters located in Mexico City for storage. We maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that covers the principal assets of our airports and other property, subject to customary limits, against damage due to natural disasters, accidents or similar events. We do not maintain business interruption insurance.

 

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Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is entirely qualified by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements. It does not include all of the information included in our consolidated financial statements. You should read our consolidated financial statements to gain a better understanding of our business and our historical results of operations.
Our financial statements were prepared in accordance with Mexican FRS, which differs in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or “U.S. GAAP.” Note 16 to our financial statements provides a description of the principal differences between Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to us. See “—Differences between Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP.”
Overview
We operate nine airports in the southeastern region of Mexico pursuant to concessions granted by the Mexican government. The substantial majority of our revenues are derived from providing aeronautical services, which are generally related to the use of our airport facilities by airlines and passengers. For example, in 2005, 2006 and 2007, approximately 70.8%, 70.9%, and 67.9% respectively, of our total revenues were derived from aeronautical services. Changes in our revenues from aeronautical services are principally driven by passenger and cargo volume at our airports. Our revenues from aeronautical services are also affected by the maximum rates we are allowed to charge under the price regulation system established by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. The maximum rate system of price regulation that applies to our aeronautical revenues is linked to the traffic volume (measured in workload units) at each airport; thus, increases in passenger and cargo volume generally permit greater revenues from aeronautical services.
We also derive revenue from non-aeronautical activities, principally related to the commercial services offered at our airports, such as the leasing of space to restaurants, retailers and service providers. Revenues from non-aeronautical activities are not subject to the system of price regulation established by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Thus, our non-aeronautical revenues are primarily affected by the passenger volume at our airports and the mix of commercial services offered at our airports. While aeronautical revenues should continue to represent a substantial majority of our future total revenues, we anticipate that the future growth of our revenues from commercial activities will eventually exceed the growth rate of our aeronautical revenues.

 

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Recent Developments
Opening of Terminal 3 at Cancun Airport
On May 18, 2007, we began operations in the new Terminal 3 at Cancun Airport. With a total investment of approximately U.S.$100 million, Terminal 3 constitutes our most ambitious investment project to-date. Terminal 3 doubled international passenger capacity at Cancun Airport. The new building, measuring a total area of 42,000 square meters (approximately 452,084 square feet), has capacity for 84 check-in counters and 11 boarding gates with boarding bridges, as well as four remote boarding gates served by buses. The terminal features state-of-the-art passenger information systems and security equipment, including the first CT scanning system (a system that uses x-rays to form a three-dimensional model of the contents of a piece of luggage) in Mexico for all checked baggage. The terminal has 21 retail stores and a bank branch. While we expect our investment in Terminal 3 will have a positive impact on our revenues, our cost of services will also increase as a result.
Report of the Federal Competition Commission on Mexico’s Airports
On October 1, 2007, the Chairman of Federal Competition Commission (Comisión Federal de Competencia, or the “Competition Commission”) released an independent report on the competitiveness of Mexico’s airports relative to each other and to international airports. The report alleged that, between 2001 and 2007, the operating income (expressed as a percentage of total revenues) of Mexican airports was relatively high when compared with a sample of fifty international airports. In addition, the report suggested that aeronautical services charges at Mexican airports were more expensive than at most of the fifty comparison airports. The report also claimed that the operating income at Mexican airports had increased principally as a result of increased passenger traffic, rather than increases in operating efficiency. To that end, the Competition Commission Chairman’s report made the following recommendations as ways to increase efficiency at Mexican airports:
    Make economic efficiency a basis of tariff regulation for new concessions;
 
    Include commercial services income as one of the factors in determining tariffs for new concessions;
 
    Strengthen the independence of the regulatory agency, and increase the transparency of airport regulation;
 
    Promote greater efficiency in scheduling at saturated airports;
 
    Promote greater competition between airports;
 
    Eliminate Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares’ (“ASA”) role as exclusive fuel service provider;
 
    Eliminate barriers to entry for taxi providers at airports; and
 
    Be mindful of vertical integration among airports and airlines.

 

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The Ministry of Communications and Transportation issued a response to the Competition Commission Chairman’s report that noted, among other matters, that according to its own calculations, Mexico’s airport charges were lower than 36 of the 50 international airports against which they were compared. We also issued a joint press release along with the other two Mexican airport groups, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico and Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, questioning the calculations and the comparisons drawn in the Competition Commission Chairman’s report, and stating that we are committed to participate in a comprehensive review of the report in order to demonstrate our commitment to the efficient development of the airport sector. In addition, after the Competition Commission Chairman’s report was released, a bill was introduced in Mexico’s Congress to make certain reforms to the Mexican Airport Law. Although we do not expect that the Competition Commission Chairman’s report or the bill will result in any regulatory changes in the short term, there can be no assurance that changes to the airport regulatory framework will not occur in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors— Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business.”
Mayan Riviera Airport Bidding Process
We understand that the Mexican government, acting through the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, is expected to use a public bidding process for the award of the concession for the construction, operation and management of an international airport in the Mayan Rivera in the state of Quintana Roo. This airport would be approximately 120 kilometers from our airport in Cancun and could adversely affect passenger traffic there. The bidding process is expected to take place during the second half of 2008. We have no further details regarding the expected public bidding process, including the timing or other terms, at this time. We are interested in participating in this bidding process, although there can be no assurance that we will be permitted to do so, or that we would be the winning bidder. See “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Operations.”
Mayan Riviera Convention and Exhibition Center and Light Rail
In May 2007, we announced that we would finance preliminary feasibility studies for a convention and exhibition center and light rail system in the Mayan Riviera. Our intention is that if these projects were to proceed forward, we would be a minority investor, with the majority of the investment undertaken by local investors. Although we have financed the preliminary feasibility studies, we have not made any other commitments with respect to these projects, and there can be no assurance that we will continue pursuing them.
New Runway 2 at Cancun Airport
We began construction on a second runway at Cancun Airport in 2007, which we expect to complete in 2009.
Passenger Traffic Volume and Composition
Our principal source of revenues is passenger charges collected from airlines for each passenger departing from the airport terminals we operate (excluding diplomats, infants and transfer and transit passengers). In 2005, 2006 and 2007, passenger charges represented 80.0%, 76.9% and 76.7% of our aeronautical services revenues and 56.7%, 54.6% and 52.0%, respectively, of our consolidated revenues. Accordingly, that the main factor affecting our results of operations is the number of passengers using our airports.

 

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In recent years, the traffic volume of domestic passengers in our airports has increased more rapidly than the traffic volume of international passengers. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, for example, approximately 60.7%, 58.20% and 55.8%, respectively, of the passengers using our airports were international and the remaining were domestic. During 2005, 2006 and 2007, 38.1%, 35.1% and 32.8% of our total revenues were derived from passenger charges collected from international passengers. The increase in domestic passenger traffic is the result of the growth of domestic travel in Mexico, principally due to the emergence of new services from low-cost airlines.
Of our passengers traveling internationally, a majority has historically traveled on flights to or from the United States. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, for example, approximately 41.9%, 38.5% and 37.2% of the total passengers and approximately 69.0%, 66.1% and 66.7%, respectively, of the international passengers in our airports arrived or departed on flights originating in or departing to the United States. As a consequence, our results of operations are substantially influenced by U.S. economic and other conditions, particularly trends and events affecting leisure travel and consumer spending. In addition, of our passengers traveling domestically, a majority has typically traveled on flights to or from Mexico City. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, for example, approximately 84.3%, 80.6% and 71.1%, respectively, of the domestic passengers in our airports arrived or departed on flights originating in or departing to Mexico City. This trend reflects the increase in new services from low-cost airlines at a wide range of airports, including Toluca, which has emerged as an alternative point of departure for the Mexico City area. Many factors affecting our passenger traffic volume and the mix of passenger traffic in our airports are beyond our control.
Classification of Revenues and Price Regulation
For financial reporting purposes, we classify our revenues into two categories: revenues from aeronautical services and revenues from non-aeronautical services. Our revenues from aeronautical services are derived from passenger charges, landing charges, aircraft parking charges, charges for airport security services and for the use of passenger walkways. Our revenues from non-aeronautical services are associated with the leasing of space in our airports to airlines, retailers and other commercial tenants, access fees collected from third parties providing complementary services at our airports and related miscellaneous sources.
Revenues from our airports are subject to a “dual-till” price regulation system. Under this system, a substantial portion of our revenues, such as revenues from passenger charges, landing charges, aircraft parking charges and access fees from third parties providing services at our airports, are regulated. Based on our classification of revenues for financial reporting purposes, all of our revenues from aeronautical services and certain of our revenues from non-aeronautical services, such as access fees charged to third parties providing complementary services in our airports, are regulated by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. The system of price regulation applicable to our airports establishes an annual maximum rate in pesos for each airport, which is the maximum annual amount of revenues per workload unit (equal to one passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo) that we may earn at that airport from regulated services. The maximum rates for our airports have been determined for each year through December 31, 2008, and will be determined for the next five-year period during the course of 2008. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, approximately 74.6%, 74.7%, and 71.5% respectively, of our total revenues and approximately 13.7%, 12.9% and 11.3%, respectively, of our revenues from non-aeronautical services were earned from regulated sources of revenues. Revenues associated with leased space in our terminals (other than space leased to airlines and other space deemed essential to our airports by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation) are currently not regulated under the price regulation system established by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.

 

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The following table sets forth our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, based on the categories of services established under the Mexican Airport Law.
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
    (thousands of constant pesos as of December 31, 2007, except percentages)  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
Regulated Revenues:
                                               
 
                                               
Airport Services(1)
    1,661,967       74.6 %     1,734,473       74.7 %     1,991,745       71.5 %
 
                                               
Non-regulated Revenues:
                                               
Access fees from non-permanent ground transportation
    8,039       0.4 %     9,022       0.4 %     12,053       0.4 %
Car parking and related access fees
    35,320       1.6 %     39,128       1.7 %     47,557       1.7 %
 
                                               
Other fees
    3,298       0.1 %     2,451       0.1 %     4,198       0.2 %
 
                                               
Complementary Services(1)
    0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %
 
                                               
Commercial Services
    496,741       22.3 %     513,140       22.1 %     684,794       24.6 %
 
                                               
Other Services
    22,819       1.0 %     24,910       1.0 %     45,544       1.6 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
    2,228,184       100.0 %     2,323,124       100.0 %     2,785,891       100.0 %
 
                                   
 
     
(1)   Includes access fees charged to third parties providing complementary services in our airports, which are classified as non-aeronautical revenues for financial reporting purposes.
Aeronautical Revenue
The system of price regulation applicable to our aeronautical revenues establishes a maximum rate in pesos for each airport for each year in a five-year period, which is the maximum annual amount of revenue per workload unit (equal to one terminal passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo) that we may earn at that airport from aeronautical services. See “Item 4. Regulatory Framework—Price Regulation” for a description of our maximum rates and the rate setting procedures for future periods. The maximum rates for our airports have been determined for each year through December 31, 2008. The rates for the next five-year period are currently under review by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.

 

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The following table sets forth our revenue from aeronautical services for the years indicated.
Aeronautical Revenue
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
    (millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2007, except percentages and workload unit data)  
Aeronautical Revenue:
                                               
Passenger charges
    1,262.3       80.0 %     1,267.6       76.9 %     1,449.8       76.7 %
Landing charges
    126.0       8.0 %     122.0       7.4 %     133.9       7.1 %
Aircraft parking charges
    140.5       8.9 %     203.2       12.3 %     248.3       13.1 %
Airport security charges
    23.9       1.5 %     23.6       1.5 %     26.8       1.4 %
Passenger walkway charges
    24.6       1.6 %     31.2       1.9 %     32.2       1.7 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total Aeronautical Revenue
    1,577.3       100.0 %     1,647.6       100.0 %     1,891.0       100.0 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Other Information:
                                               
Total workload units(1)
    13.8               14.3               16.7          
Total aeronautical revenue per
workload unit
    114.3               115.2               113.2          
Change in aeronautical revenue
    (5.1 %)             4.5 %             14.8 %        
Change in total aeronautical revenues per workload unit(2)
    (1.7 %)             0.8 %             (1.7 %)        
 
     
(1)   In millions. Under the regulation applicable to our aeronautical revenues, a workload unit is equivalent to one terminal passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo.
 
(2)   In each case, as compared to previous year.
Under the regulatory system applicable to our aeronautical revenues, we can set the specific price for each category of aeronautical services every six months (or more frequently if accumulated inflation since the last adjustment exceeds 5%), as long as the total aeronautical revenue per workload unit each year at each of our airports does not exceed the maximum rate at that airport for that year. The specific prices we charge for regulated services are based on various factors, including projections of passenger traffic volumes, capital expenditures estimated in our master development programs, the Mexican producer price index (excluding petroleum) and the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar. We currently set the specific price for each category of aeronautical services after negotiating with our principal airline customers. Our current agreements with principal airline customers were scheduled to expire on December 31, 2008, but most of them (contracts accounting for 74.97% of our total passenger traffic) have already been extended beyond this date. Under these agreements, our specific prices are structured such that the substantial majority of our aeronautical revenues are derived from passenger charges, and we expect this to continue to be the case in future agreements. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, passenger charges represented 80.0%, 76.9% and 76.7% of our aeronautical service revenues and 56.7%, 54.6% and 52.0%, respectively, of our consolidated revenues.
Historically, we have set our prices for regulated services at our airports as close as possible to the maximum rates allowed in any given year, and we expect to pursue this pricing strategy in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be able to collect most of the revenue we are entitled to earn from services subject to price regulation in the future. For a discussion of risks relating to our ability to set specific prices, see “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Operations.”

 

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As noted above, our regulated revenues at each airport are subject to a maximum rate established by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. To avoid exceeding the maximum rate established at an airport for any given year, we have historically taken measures to ensure that the maximum rates are not exceeded at year end, including reducing prices during the latter part of the year and issuing rebates or discounts to customers as price adjustments. These price adjustments or rebates constitute a reduction of the selling prices (i.e., the amounts originally billed to customers for services rendered), and therefore, are characterized as a reduction of the related revenues recognized during the year, both for Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP purposes. All discounts and rebates are issued and recorded in the same year as the service is provided. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, we did not issue rebates in significant amounts.
The following table sets forth the number of passengers paying passenger charges for the years indicated.
Passengers Paying Passenger Charges
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
                    % change             % change  
Airport   2005     2006     2005-2006     2007     2006-2007  
    (in thousands, except percentages)  
Cancún
    4,615.3       4,820.2       4.4 %     5,630.9       16.8 %
Mérida
    485.6       490.0       0.9 %     623.1       27.2 %
Cozumel(1)
    243.7       182.3       (25.2 %)     253.9       39.3 %
Villahermosa
    359.6       359.7       0.0 %     426.9       18.7 %
Other
    907.7       977.2       7.7 %     1,137.6       16.4 %
 
                             
Total
    6,611.9       6,829.4       3.3 %     8,072.4       18.2 %
 
                             
     
(1)   The decrease in 2006 reflected the decrease in passenger volume due to Hurricane Wilma, which recovered strongly in 2007.
We earn passenger charges from each departing passenger at our airports, other than transit passengers, diplomats and infants.
Non-Aeronautical Revenue
Our revenues from non-aeronautical services are principally derived from commercial activities, such as leasing of space in our airports to airlines, leasing of space to, and collection of royalties from, third parties operating stores and providing commercial services at our airports and access fees charged to operators of automobile parking facilities and providers of complementary services, and non-commercial activities, such as leasing of space essential for the operation of airlines and access fees from non-permanent ground transportation and complementary service providers, including providers of ramp and handling services, catering, maintenance services and repair and related activities that support to air carriers. Most of our revenues from non-aeronautical services are not subject to price regulation under our dual-till price regulation system.

 

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The following table sets forth our revenue from non-aeronautical activities for the years indicated.
Non-aeronautical Revenue
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
    (millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2007, except percentages and passenger data)  
 
                                               
Non-aeronautical Services:
                                               
Commercial
    501.8       77.1 %     522.2       77.3 %     687.4       76.8 %
Leasing of space
    490.6       75.4 %     511.9       75.8 %     673.3       75.2 %
Access fee
    8.0       1.2 %     9.0       1.3 %     12.1       1.4 %
Other
    3.2       0.5 %     1.3       0.2 %     2.0       0.2 %
Non Commercial
    149.1       22.9 %     153.3       22.7 %     207.5       23.2 %
Leasing of space
    61.5       9.5 %     53.6       7.9 %     58.1       6.5 %
Access fee
    63.2       9.7 %     64.8       9.6 %     79.7       8.9 %
Other
    24.4       3.7 %     34.9       5.2 %     69.7       7.8 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total Non-aeronautical Revenue
    650.9       100.0 %     675.5       100.0 %     894.9       100.0 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Other Information:
                                               
Total terminal passengers(1)
    13.3               13.8               16.2          
Non-aeronautical revenue per terminal passenger
  Ps. 48.94             Ps. 48.95             Ps. 55.2          
Change in non-aeronautical revenue
    20.2 %             3.8 %             32.5 %        
Change in total non-aeronautical revenue per terminal passenger(2)
    25.8 %             0.02 %             12.8 %        
 
     
(1)   In millions.
 
(2)   In each case, as compared to previous year.

 

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Operating Costs
The following table sets forth our operating costs and certain other related information for the years indicated.
Operating Costs
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
    Amount     Amount     % change     Amount     % change  
    (millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2007, except percentages)  
Operating Costs:
                                       
Cost of services:
                                       
Employee costs
    253.4       279.7       10.4 %     306.9       9.7 %
Maintenance
    105.5       107.8       2.2 %     118.8       10.2 %
Safety, security and insurance
    73.7       99.2       34.6 %     107.6       8.5 %
Utilities
    59.2       64.8       9.5 %     80.9       24.8 %
 
                                       
Other
    221.5       215.0       (2.9 %)     233.5       8.6 %
Total cost of services
    713.3       766.5       7.5 %     847.8       10.6 %
Technical assistance fee
    71.7       73.7       2.8 %     91.9       24.7 %
Government concession fee
    111.4       116.0       4.1 %     139.3       20.0 %
Depreciation and amortization:
                                       
Depreciation(1)
    183.9       231.8       26.0 %     288.0       24.2 %
Amortization(2)
    284.8       274.3       (3.7 %)     252.8       (7.8 %)
Total depreciation and amortization
    468.7       506.1       8.0 %     540.8       6.9 %
 
                             
Total operating costs
    1,365.1       1,462.3       7.1 %     1,619.7       10.8 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Other Information:
                                       
 
                                       
Total workload units(3)
    13,788.3       14,252.9       3.4 %     16,654.2       16.8 %
Cost of services per workload unit
    51.7       53.8       4.1 %     50.9       (5.4 %)
Cost of services margin(4)
    32.0 %     33.0 %     3.1 %     30.4 %     (7.8 %)
 
     
(1)   Reflects depreciation of fixed assets.
 
(2)   Reflects amortization of our concessions and recovered long-term leases (long-term third-party leases granted by our predecessor to operate commercial areas in our airports).
 
(3)   In thousands. Under the regulation applicable to our aeronautical revenues, a workload unit is equivalent to one terminal passenger or 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo.
 
(4)   Cost of services divided by total revenues, expressed as a percentage.
Cost of Services
Our cost of services consists primarily of employee, maintenance, safety, security and insurance costs, as well as utilities (a portion of which we recover from our tenants) and other miscellaneous expenses.
Technical Assistance Fee and Government Concession Fee
Under the technical assistance agreement, ITA provides management and consulting services and transfers technical assistance, technological and industry knowledge, as well as experience to us for a fee. Our results of operations reflect the accrual of a technical assistance fee to ITA under the technical assistance agreement. The technical assistance fee is equal to the greater of a fixed dollar amount or 5% of our consolidated earnings before comprehensive financing costs, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (determined in accordance with Mexican FRS and calculated prior to deducting the technical assistance fee). For further information on this fee, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Company—Investment by ITA.” For further detail on the ITA agreement, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions.”

 

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We are subject to the Mexican Federal Duties Law, which requires each of our airports to pay a concession fee to the Mexican government, which is currently equal to 5% of the gross annual revenues (regulated and non-regulated) of each concession holder obtained from the use of public domain assets pursuant to the terms of its concession. The concession fee may vary on an annual basis as determined solely by the Mexican federal congress, and there can be no assurance that this fee may not increase in the future. If the Mexican federal congress increases the concession fee, we are entitled to request an increase in our maximum rates from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation; however, there can be no assurance that the Ministry of Communications and Transportation would honor our request.
Depreciation and Amortization
Our depreciation and amortization expenses primarily reflect the amortization of the investments realized in our nine concessions under our master development plans. Our current master development plans went into effect on January 1, 2004 and expire December 31, 2008. New master development plans are currently under review by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
Taxation
Mexican companies were generally required to pay the greater of their income tax liability or their asset tax liability (determined at a rate of 1.25% of the average tax value of virtually all of their assets (including, in our case, our concessions), less the average tax value of certain liabilities (basically liabilities owed to Mexican residents excluding those with financial institutions or their intermediaries)). In December 2006, the Mexican authorities approved a change in the methodology used to calculated asset tax liabilities and reduced the tax rates to 1.25% from 1.8% applicable to the average tax value of virtually all of the company’s assets without reducing the average tax value of certain liabilities. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, we and our subsidiaries paid an aggregate of Ps. 146.6 million, Ps. 125.9 million and Ps. 81.9 million, respectively, in asset taxes. As a result of changes in the Mexican tax law, the asset tax balance may be recovered through rebates over the following ten years of up to 10% of the total asset tax paid out and pending recovery, provided that this sum does not exceed the difference between the income tax paid during the period and the asset tax paid during the three previous years, whichever is lower, when the income tax exceeds asset tax in any of those years.
On October 1, 2007, a new flat rate business tax (Impuesto Empresarial a Tasa Única, or “IETU”) was approved by the Mexican government and became effective as of January 1, 2008. This law, which eliminated the asset tax and replaced it with the IETU as described below, applies to individuals and companies with permanent establishment in Mexico. Such individuals and companies are required to pay the greater of the IETU or the income tax. IETU is calculated by applying a tax rate of 16.5% in 2008, 17.0% in 2009 and 17.5% thereafter to an income determined based on cash flows. This income is determined by deducting authorized deductions (including wages, social security contributions and certain investment expenditures) from total income earned from taxable activities. IETU tax credits are deducted according to procedures established in the IETU tax law.

 

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Beginning on October 1, 2007, based on financial and tax projections of each subsidiary which show that, with the exception of Aeropuerto de Cancún, S.A. de C.V. (Cancún Airport), the rest of our subsidiaries are expected to principally pay IETU in the future, the Company has a net write-off of Ps. 150 million, representing the cumulative deferred income taxes of these subsidiaries. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we recognized a deferred IETU tax liability of Ps. 706.6 million and deferred IETU tax asset of Ps. 217.4 million, corresponding to timing differences generated in the calculation of the IETU taxable base which are expected to occur in future periods in the following subsidiaries: Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Mérida, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V.
Because our financial and tax projections indicate that our Cancún Airport subsidiary is expected to pay income tax in the future, and since we are required to amortize the Cancun Airport investments and concession over a longer period than the related amortization for tax purposes under Mexican FRS, we expect to continue recognizing a deferred income tax liability in our financial statements as a result of the difference between the amount of the Cancun Airport investments amortization for tax and financial reporting purposes.
Employee Statutory Profit Sharing
We are subject to the mandatory employee statutory profit sharing regime established by Mexican federal labor laws. Under this regime, 10% of a company’s unconsolidated annual profits, as calculated for tax purposes, must be distributed among employees other than the chief executive officer. We were not required to pay employee statutory profit sharing in 2005, 2006 and 2007 because we generated tax losses in those years. On May 3, 2005, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in a plenary session relating to four cases that net operating loss carry-forwards could not be deducted when calculating net taxable income for profit sharing liability purposes.  In light of these decisions, we have decided not to include net operating loss carry-forwards in the calculation of our profit sharing liability.
Effects of Devaluation and Inflation
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated:
    the percentage that the Mexican peso depreciated or appreciated against the U.S. dollar;
 
    the Mexican inflation rate;
 
    the U.S. inflation rate; and
 
    the percentage that the Mexican gross domestic product, or GDP, changed as compared to the previous period.
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
 
                       
Depreciation (appreciation) of the Mexican Peso as compared to
the U.S. dollar(1)
    (4.6 %)     1.7 %     0.96 %
Mexican inflation rate(2)
    3.3 %     4.1 %     3.76 %
U.S. inflation rate(3)
    3.4 %     2.5 %     4.1 %
Increase in Mexican gross domestic product(4)
    3.0 %     4.8 %     3.3 %
 
     
(1)   Based on changes in the rates for calculating foreign exchange liabilities, as reported by Banco de Mexico, the Mexican Central Bank, at the end of each period, which were as follows: Ps. 10.6344 per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2005, Ps. 10.8116 per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2006 and Ps. 10.9157 per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2007.
 
(2)   Based on changes in the Mexican consumer price index from the previous period, as reported by the Banco de Mexico. The Mexican consumer price index at year end was: 116.3010 in 2005, 121.0150 in 2006 and 125.5640 in 2007.
 
(3)   As reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics.
 
(4)   In real terms, as reported by the Mexican National Statistical, Geographic and Information Institute (INEGI) as of February, 19, 2008.

 

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The general condition of the Mexican economy, changes in the value of the peso as compared to the dollar, inflation and high interest rates have in the past adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, our:
    Depreciation and amortization expense. We restate our non-monetary assets to give effect to inflation. The restatement of these assets in periods of high inflation increases the carrying value of these assets in pesos, which in turn increases the related depreciation expense and risk of impairments. Our airport concessions are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the concession and rights acquired.
 
    Passenger charges. Passenger charges for international passengers are currently denominated in dollars, while passenger charges for domestic passengers are denominated in pesos. Because Mexican FRS requires Mexican companies to restate their results of operations in prior periods in constant pesos as of the most recent balance sheet date, when the rate of inflation in a period exceeds the depreciation of the peso as compared to the dollar for that period, the peso value of dollar-denominated or dollar-linked revenues in the prior period will be higher than those of the current period. This effect may occur despite the fact that the amount of such revenues in dollar terms may have been greater in the current period.
 
    Comprehensive financing result (cost). As required by Mexican FRS, our comprehensive financing cost reflects gains or losses from foreign exchange, gains or losses from monetary position and gains and losses from interest. As a result, it is impacted by both inflation and currency depreciation.
 
    Maximum rates in pesos. Our tariffs for the services we provide to international flights or international passengers are denominated in U.S. dollars, but are generally paid in Mexican pesos based on the average exchange rate for the month prior to each flight. We generally collect passenger charges from airlines 60-115 days following the date of each flight. We intend to charge prices that are as close as possible to the maximum rates that we can charge. Since we are usually only entitled to adjust our specific prices once every six months (or earlier upon a cumulative increase of 5% in the Mexican producer price index, excluding petroleum), a depreciation of the peso as compared to the dollar, particularly late in the year, could cause us to exceed the maximum rates at one or more of our airports, possibly leading to the termination of one of our concessions. In the event that any one of our concessions is terminated, our other concessions may also be terminated. In addition, if the peso appreciates as compared to the dollar we may underestimate the specific prices we can charge for regulated services and be unable to adjust our prices upwards to maximize our regulated revenues.
Following the new Mexican FRS B-10, since the cumulative inflation in Mexico measured by the NCPI in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 was below 26%, we ceased recognizing the effects of inflation in our financial statements for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.

 

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Operating Results by Airport
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated.
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
    Airport Operating Results  
    (millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2007)  
Cancun:
                       
Revenues:
                       
Aeronautical services
  Ps. 1,144.8     Ps. 1,210.0     Ps. 1,370.4  
Non-aeronautical services
    524.6       547.1       737.7  
Total revenues
    1,669.4       1,757.1       2,108.1  
Net operating income
    809.5       840.9       667.3 (1)
Merida:
                       
Revenues:
                       
Aeronautical services
    104.6       101.8       124.5  
Non-aeronautical services
    37.9       39.9       47.6  
Total revenues
    142.5       141.7       172.1  
Net operating income
    20.2       14.7       22.8 (1)
Villahermosa:
                       
Revenues:
                       
Aeronautical Services
    73.5       77.6       91.0  
Non Aeronautical Services
    22.2       23.0       27.5  
Other
                    12.5  
Total revenues
    95.7       100.6       131.0  
Net operating income
    27.9       17.0       42.7 (1)
Other: (3)
                       
Revenues:
                       
Aeronautical services
    254.4       258.2       305.1  
Non-aeronautical services
    66.2       65.5       69.6  
Total revenues
    320.6       323.7       374.7  
Net operating (loss) income
    5.5       (11.7 )(2)     433.4 (1)
Total:
                       
Revenues:
                       
Aeronautical services
    1,577.3       1,647.6       1,891.0  
Non-aeronautical services
    650.9       675.5       894.9  
Total revenues
    2,228.2       2,323.1       2,785.9  
Net operating income
    863.1       860.9       1,166.2 (1)
 
     
(1)   Reflects the results of intercompany transactions between us and our subsidiaries and among our subsidiaries. During the third quarter of 2007, we and our subsidiaries entered into an intercompany agreement that enables us to recognize results by considering our subsidiaries as one economic unit, and allows us to make corporate charges and credits to and from our subsidiaries for the purpose of establishing sufficient cash flow at each subsidiary to support such subsidiary’s respective obligations. The implementation of this strategy affects operating income results reported by individual airports but does not affect our consolidated results.
 
(2)   The loss in 2006 reflects the decrease in passenger volume due to Hurricane Wilma, which recovered strongly in 2007.
 
(3)   Reflects the results of operations of our parent holding company, or administrative services company, our airports located in Veracruz, Minatitlan, Oaxaca, Huatulco, Tapachula and Cozumel and consolidation adjustments.

 

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Summary Historical Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated.
Consolidated Operating Results
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
    (thousands of constant pesos as of December 31, 2007)  
 
                       
Revenues:
                       
 
                       
Aeronautical services
  Ps. 1,577,295     Ps. 1,647,594     Ps. 1,890,950  
Non-aeronautical services
    650,889       675,530       894,941  
Total revenues
    2,228,184       2,323,124       2,785,891  
Operating Expenses:
                       
Cost of services
    (602,436 )     (665,275 )     (743,642 )
General and administrative expenses
    (110,907 )     (101,156 )     (104,019 )
Technical assistance fee(1)
    (71,721 )     (73,707 )     (91,945 )
Government Concession fee(2)
    (111,409 )     (116,007 )     (139,294 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (468,653 )     (506,124 )     (540,821 )
Total operating expenses
    (1,365,126 )     (1,462,269 )     (1,619,721 )
Net operating income
    863,058       860,855       1,166,170  
Comprehensive Financing Result :
                       
Interest income, net
    110,699       103,322       106,482  
Exchange (losses) gains, net
    (17,417 )     4,106       1,612  
Loss from monetary position
    (68,724 )     (91,642 )     (92,950 )
Net comprehensive financing income
    24,558       15,786       15,144  
Non ordinary items(3)
    (9,678 )     (16,242 )     (2,385 )
Income before taxes
    877,938       860,399       1,178,929  
Provision for taxes
    (269,893 )     (312,432 )     (656,568 )
Net income
    608,045       547,967       522,361  
Other Operating Data (Unaudited):
                       
Operating margin(4)
    38.7 %     37.1 %     41.9 %
Net margin(5)
    27.3 %     23.6 %     18.8 %
 
     
(1)   We are required to pay ITA a technical assistance fee based on the technical assistance agreement. This fee is described in “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Company—Investment by ITA.”
 
(2)   Each of our subsidiary concession holders is required to pay a concession fee to the Mexican government under the Mexican Federal Duties Law. The concession fee is currently 5% of each concession holder’s gross annual revenues from the use of public domain assets pursuant to the terms of its concession.
 
(3)   Non-ordinary items refers to restructuring and contract termination fees and loss on natural disasters. On January 1, 2007, we adopted Mexican FRS B-3,“Statement of Income” which incorporates, among other things, a new approach to classifying income and expenses as ordinary and non-ordinary, eliminates special and extraordinary items and establishes employees’ profit sharing as an ordinary expense and not as tax. Accordingly, our financial statements for 2006 and 2005 have also been reclassified to conform the current year presentation. Such reclassifications consisted of 1) Ps. 16,242 and Ps. 9,678, respectively, reclassified from extraordinary items to non-ordinary items, and 2) Ps. 3,904 and Ps. 2,557, respectively, reclassified from provision for income taxes and employees’ statutory profit sharing to general and administrative expenses.
 
(4)   Operating income divided by total revenues, expressed as a percentage.
 
(5)   Net income divided by total revenues, expressed as a percentage.

 

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Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006
Revenues
Total revenues for 2007 were Ps. 2,785.9 million, 19.9% higher than the Ps. 2,323.1 million recorded in 2006. The increase in total revenues resulted from an increase of 14.8% in revenues from aeronautical services and an increase of 32.5% in revenues from non-aeronautical services.
Our revenues from aeronautical services, net of rebates, increased 14.8% to Ps. 1,891.0 million in 2007 from Ps. 1,647.6 million in 2006, due primarily to the 17.8% increase in passenger volume. Revenues from passenger charges increased 14.4% to Ps. 1,449.8 million in 2007 (76.7% of our aeronautical revenues during the period) from Ps. 1,267.6 million in 2006 (76.9% of our aeronautical revenues during the period). Aeronautical revenues per workload unit decreased 1.7% from 115.2 in 2006 to 113.2 in 2007, principally because of the relative rise of domestic passenger traffic versus international passenger traffic and the relatively lower rates charged for domestic traffic.
Revenues from non-aeronautical services increased 32.5% to Ps. 894.9 million in 2007 from Ps. 675.5 million in 2006, principally due to increased passenger traffic and the opening of Terminal 3 in May 2007, which led to a 20.71% increase in revenues from duty-free shops, a 39.33% increase in food and beverage revenues, a 34.89% increase in revenues from retail stores and a 76.60% increase in other income, which consisted principally of the receipt of final payment for the lease of the Airshop restaurant at Terminal 2 of Cancun Airport and revenue from tourism services and hotel reservations providers. Increases of 66.39% in advertising revenues, 21.54% in revenues from parking lots, 25.25% in revenues from car rental companies, 9.15% in revenues from banking and currency exchange services, 2.81% in revenues from teleservices, and 33.01% in revenues from ground transportation also contributed to the increase in revenues from non-aeronautical services. Non-aeronautical revenue per terminal passenger increased 12.8%, from Ps. 48.95 per passenger to Ps. 55.2 per passenger.
Our revenues from regulated sources in 2007 were Ps. 1,991.7 million, a 14.8% increase compared to Ps. 1,734.5 million in 2006, mainly due to the increase in total passenger traffic of 17.8%. During 2007, Ps. 794.1 million of our revenues derived from non-regulated sources, a 34.9% increase from the Ps. 588.7 million of revenues derived from non-regulated sources in 2006. This increase was primarily due to the 32.5% increase in commercial revenues described above.
Operating Expenses and Operating Income
Total operating expenses were Ps. 1,619.7 million in 2007, a 10.8% increase from the Ps. 1,462.3 million recorded in 2006, primarily as a result of an 11.8% increase in cost of services, a 6.9% increase in depreciation and amortization, a 24.7% increase in technical assistance fees and a 20.1% increase in concession fee and a 2.8% increase in general and administrative expenses. As a percentage of total revenues, operating expenses decreased to 58.1% of total revenues in 2007 from 62.9% of total revenues in 2006.

 

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Cost of services increased 11.8% to Ps. 743.6 million in 2007 from Ps. 665.3 million in 2006. The increase was principally due to higher personnel costs (particularly in information technology) associated with the implementation of internal accounting controls pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the opening of Terminal 3, which resulted in increases in energy costs, security costs, insurance premiums, and maintenance expenses. In recent years, our cost of services per workload unit has decreased, from Ps. 53.8 in 2006 to Ps. 50.9 in 2007.
General and administrative expenses increased 2.8% to Ps. 104.0 million in 2007 from Ps. 101.2 million in 2006. This increase was primarily attributable to increased marketing costs related to our participation in tourism fairs during 2007 aimed at attracting new airline service to our airports.
Technical assistance fees increased by 24.7% to Ps. 91.9 million in 2007 from Ps. 73.7 million in 2006, and concession fees increased by 20.1% to Ps. 139.3 million in 2007 from Ps. 116.0 million in 2006. The technical assistance fees increased in 2007 due to the corresponding increase in our consolidated earnings before comprehensive financing costs, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, which is the basis used to determine the technical assistance fees. The increase in government concession fees was primarily the result of increased revenues.
Depreciation and amortization costs increased by 6.9% to Ps. 540.8 million in 2007 from Ps. 506.1 million in 2006. This increase was principally due to the depreciation of investments in fixed assets and improvements made to concession assets.
Operating income increased 35.5% to Ps. 1,166.2 million in 2007 from Ps. 860.9 million in 2006. This increase in operating income was primarily a result of the 19.9% increase in revenues, which more than offset the increase in total operating expenses of 10.8%.
Operating income for Cancun Airport decreased by 20.6% to Ps. 667.3 million in 2007 from Ps. 840.9 million in 2006 primarily as a result of an intercompany agreement that we entered into in the third quarter of 2007 that enables us to recognize results by considering our subsidiaries as one economic unit, and allows us to make corporate charges and credits to and from our subsidiaries for the purpose of establishing sufficient cash flow at each subsidiary to support such subsidiary’s respective obligations. Our eight other airports, our parent holding company and our administrative services company, on an aggregate basis, reported operating income of Ps. 498.9 million in 2007 compared to operating income of Ps. 20 million in 2006. During 2007, revenues in those eight airports, our parent holding company, and the administrative services company increased 19.7% and passenger traffic volume in the other eight airports increased 20.9%, respectively, from 2006. The increase in revenues largely resulted from the increase in non-aeronautical revenues.
Comprehensive Financing Result
Our net comprehensive financing result decreased to income of Ps. 15.1 million in 2007 as compared to income of Ps. 15.8 million in 2006, primarily due to an increase in interest income in 2007, which was offset in part by a decrease in foreign exchange gains.

 

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Income Taxes, Asset Tax and deferred flat rate business tax
As a result of changes in Mexican tax law that took effect January 1, 2008, which established the IETU and eliminated the asset tax, pursuant to Mexican Financial Reporting Standards we reviewed our deferred assets and liabilities position. As a result of this review, we had a net write-off of Ps. 150 million, representing the cumulative deferred income taxes of the subsidiaries that are expected to pay IETU in the future, and we recognized a deferred IETU tax liability of Ps. 706.6 million and deferred IETU tax asset of Ps. 217.4 million corresponding to timing differences generated in the calculation of the IETU taxable base which are expected to occur in future periods in such subsidiaries.
Net Income
Net income declined to Ps. 522.4 million in 2007 from Ps. 548.0 million in 2006. This was mainly the result of the increase in deferred fixed rate company taxes due to the tax reforms discussed in “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Taxes”.
Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005
Revenues
Total revenues for 2006 were Ps. 2,323.1 million, 4.3% higher than the Ps. 2,228.2 million recorded in 2005. The increase in total revenues resulted from an increase of 4.5% in revenues from aeronautical services and an increase of 3.8% in revenues from non-aeronautical services.
Our revenues from aeronautical services, net of rebates, increased 4.5% to Ps. 1,647.6 million in 2006 from Ps. 1,577.3 million in 2005, due primarily to the 3.4% increase in passenger volume. Revenues from passenger charges increased 0.4% to Ps. 1,267.6 million in 2006 (76.9% of our aeronautical revenues during the period) from Ps. 1,262.3 million in 2005 (80.0% of our aeronautical revenues during the period). Aeronautical revenues per workload unit increased 0.8% from 114.3 in 2005 to 115.2 in 2006.
Revenues from non-aeronautical services increased 3.8% to Ps. 675.5 million in 2006 from Ps. 650.9 million in 2005, principally due to an increase in commercial revenues resulting from the new concession contract for duty-free shops with Aldeasa, which included a one-time payment of Ps. 19.8 million. The increase in revenues from non-aeronautical services also resulted in part from an 8.51% increase in food and beverage revenues due to a one-time payment received from Hoteleria e Inmobiliaria, S.A. de C.V. for the lease of a restaurant that until June 2006 was operated directly by us, as well as a 6.27% increase in retail revenues derived from three convenience stores we have operated directly since 2005 and 11 new convenience stores at the Cancun, Merida, Villahermosa, Oaxaca and Huatulco airports operated by new commercial tenants. A 10.78% increase in revenues from parking lots, a 22.15% increase in advertising revenue, and a 10.49% increase in revenues from ground transportation also contributed to the increase in revenues from non-aeronautical services. This increase was partially offset by a 5.93% decrease in duty-free revenues as well as a 14.23% decrease in revenues from banking and currency exchange services.

 

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Our revenues from regulated sources in 2006 were Ps. 1,734.5 million, a 4.4% increase compared to Ps. 1,662.0 million in 2005, mainly due to the increase in total passenger traffic of 3.4%. During 2006, Ps. 588.7 million of our revenues derived from non-regulated sources, a 4.0% increase from the Ps. 566.2 million of revenues derived from non-regulated sources in 2005. This increase was primarily due to the 4.1% increase in commercial revenues described above.
Operating Expenses and Operating Income
Total operating expenses were Ps. 1,462.3  million in 2006, a 7.1% increase from the Ps. 1,365.1 million recorded in 2005, primarily as a result of an 10.4% increase in cost of services, a 2.8% increase in technical assistance fees and a 4.1% increase in concession fee. These sources of increased costs were partially offset by a 8.8% decrease in general and administrative expenses and 8% increase in depreciation and amortization. As a percentage of total revenues, operating expenses increased to 62.9% of total revenues in 2006 from 61.3% of total revenues in 2005.
Cost of services increased 10.4% to Ps. 665.3 million in 2006 from Ps. 602.4 million in 2005. The increase was principally due to higher personnel costs associated with the implementation of new baggage screening procedures and an increase in insurance premiums.
General and administrative expenses decreased 8.8% to Ps. 101.2 million in 2006 from Ps. 110.9 million in 2005. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in professional fees paid during the period.
Technical assistance fees increased by 2.8% to Ps. 73.7 million in 2006 from Ps. 71.7 million in 2005, and concession fees increased by 4.1% to Ps. 116.0 million in 2006 from Ps. 111.4 million in 2005. The technical assistance fees increased in 2006 due to the corresponding increase in our consolidated earnings before comprehensive financing costs, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. The increase in the concession fee was primarily the result of increased revenues.
Depreciation and amortization costs increased by 8.0% to Ps. 506.1 million in 2006 from Ps. 468.7 million in 2005. This increase was principally due to the capitalization of investments in fixed assets and improvements made to concession assets.
Operating income decreased 0.3% to Ps. 860.9 million in 2006 from Ps. 863.1 million in 2005. This decline in operating income was primarily a result of the fact that our 4.3% increase in revenues did not fully offset the increase in total operating expenses of 7.1%.
Operating income for Cancun Airport increased by 3.9% to Ps. 840.9 million in 2006 from Ps. 809.5 million in 2005. Our eight other airports, our parent holding company and our administrative services company, on an aggregate basis, reported operating income of Ps. 20 million in 2006 compared to operating income of Ps. 53.6 million in 2005. During 2006, revenues in those eight airports, our parent holding company, and the administrative services company increased 1.2% and passenger traffic in the other eight airports increased 0.8%, respectively, from 2005. The increase in revenues largely resulted from the increase in non-aeronautical revenues.

 

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Comprehensive Financing Result
Our net comprehensive financing result decreased to income of Ps. 15.8 million in 2006 as compared to income of Ps. 24.6 million in 2005, primarily due to a greater loss on monetary position in 2006, which was offset in part by a change from a foreign exchange loss in 2005 to a foreign exchange gain in 2006.
Income Taxes and Asset Tax
Our provision for income taxes and asset tax (all of which represented deferred income and asset taxes) increased by 15.8% to Ps. 312.4 million in 2006 from Ps. 269.9 million in 2005, primarily due to the increase in our revenues in 2006.
Net Income
Net income declined to Ps. 548.0 million in 2006 from Ps. 608.0 million in 2005. This was mainly the result of the increase in expenses, which were not fully offset by the increase in revenues for the year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations, financing and investing activities are funded through cash flow from operations. The cash flow generated from our operations has generally been used to cover operating expenses and capital expenditures, to make dividend payments and to increase our cash balances. In addition, in 2007, 2006 and 2005 we used Ps. 231 million, Ps. 219 million and Ps. 208 million, respectively, to pay dividends. At December 31, 2007, we had Ps. 1,925.7 million in cash and marketable securities.
In 2007, we generated Ps. 1,622.6 million in resources from operating activities. Our resources used in financing activities were Ps. 320.1 million, as a result of payment of dividends of Ps. 231.2 million and Ps. 88.9 million of tax on dividends paid. Our resources used in investing activities in 2007 were Ps. 665.2 million for purchases of machinery, furniture, equipment and construction in progress related to the second runway at Cancun Airport.
In 2006, we generated Ps. 1,070.4 million in resources from operating activities. Our resources used in financing activities were Ps. 307.9 million, as a result of payment of dividends of Ps. 218.6 million and Ps. 89.3 million of tax on dividends paid, partially offset by recovered income tax on dividends paid in previous years. Our resources used in investing activities in 2006 were Ps. 1,129.9 million for the construction of the Terminal 3 building at Cancun Airport, which began operations on May 18, 2007.
In 2005, we generated Ps. 1,336.9 million in resources from operating activities. Our resources used in financing activities were Ps. 296.4 million, as a result of payment of dividends of Ps. 207.5 million and Ps. 88.9 million of tax on dividends paid. Our resources used in investing activities in 2005 were Ps. 682.5 million for purchases of machinery, furniture and equipment principally for the Cancun, Villahermosa and Merida airports.

 

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Under the terms of our concessions, every five years our subsidiary concession holders must present a master development plan to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation for approval. Each master development plan includes concession holders’ investment commitments for the succeeding five-year period, including capital expenditures and improvements. Once approved by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, these commitments become binding obligations under the terms of our concessions.
On December 30, 2003, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation approved each of our master development plans. The current terms of the master development plans went into effect on January 1, 2004 and will be in effect until December 31, 2008. New master development plans are currently under review by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
The following table sets forth our committed investments for our airports pursuant to the terms of our current master development plans for the periods indicated. There can be no assurance as to the level of committed investments we will be required to undertake under future master development plans. Even though we have committed to invest the amounts in the table below, these amounts could ultimately be higher or lower depending on future project costs.
Committed Investments
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     Total  
    (thousands of pesos)(1)  
Cancun(2)
  Ps. 345,651     Ps. 544,052     Ps. 818,764     Ps. 509,244     Ps. 490,081     Ps. 2,707,792  
Mérida
    25,915       28,513       47,596       32,091       2,388       136,503  
Cozumel
    10,905       70,984       12,802       16,751       11,142       122,584  
Villahermosa
    48,781       65,446       6,544       12,236       1,340       134,347  
Oaxaca
    22,125       21,763       10,554       6,816       4,969       66,227  
Veracruz
    25,890       21,904       11,953       11,529       1,540       72,816  
Huatulco
    10,105       5,608       4,106       7,013       54,084       80,916  
Tapachula
    20,787       4,576       9,484       8,395       825       44,067  
Minatitlan
    10,864       6,334       4,978       2,081       3,151       27,408  
 
                                   
Total
  Ps. 521,023     Ps. 769,180     Ps. 926,781     Ps. 606,156     Ps. 569,520     Ps. 3,392,660  
 
                                   
 
     
(1)   Expressed in constant pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 based on the Mexican construction price index in accordance with the terms of our master development plan.
 
(2)   The master development plan for Cancun airport was modified on December of 2007 to reflect our decision to build a new terminal rather than implement extensive expansion and remodeling of existing terminals and to reflect an accelerated timetable for the construction of a second runway. The Ministry of Communications and Transportation approved the modified plan and recognized a decrease of Ps. 123 million in investments as of December 31, 2007.
The following table sets forth our historical investments in the periods indicated.
Capital Expenditures
         
Year ended December 31,   (thousands of pesos)(1)  
 
       
2005(2)
  Ps. 741,887  
2006
    1,129,915  
2007
    665,160  
 
     
(1)   Expressed in constant pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007.
 
(2)   Does not include the Ps. 50.1 million in connection with the repair of Terminal 1 at the Cancun airport.
Although we currently intend to fund the investments and working capital required by our business strategy through cash flow from operations, we may incur debt to finance all or a portion of these investments in the future.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses generated during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and assumptions. The impact and any associated risks related to such policies on our business operations are addressed where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results throughout our discussion of our results of operations. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and which require us to exercise significant judgment. Our most critical accounting policies are described briefly below. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Notes 2 and 16 of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are obtained from aeronautical services, which generally relate to the use of airport infrastructure by air carriers and passengers, and from non-aeronautical services.
Aeronautical services revenues consist of passenger charges for departing passengers (excluding diplomats, infants, and transfer and transit passengers), landing charges based on the average between aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight and the zero-fuel weight and hour of arrival, aircraft parking charges based on the time an aircraft is on the ground and hour of arrival, passenger walkway charges for the connection of aircraft to terminals, based on hour of arrival, and airport security charges for departing passengers. Aeronautical services revenue is recognized as passengers depart, at the time of landings and as services are provided, as the case may be.
Non-aeronautical service revenues consist primarily of the leasing of space in airport terminals, access fees from third parties providing handling, catering and other services at the airports and miscellaneous other revenues.
Rental income is recognized on terminal space that is leased through operating leases. Such leases stipulate either: fixed monthly rental fees or fees based on the greater of a minimum monthly rental fee, a specified percentage of the lessee’s monthly revenues or the number of departing passengers. Access fees and other service revenues are recognized as services are provided. All amounts are calculated and recognized on a monthly basis.
Under the Airport Law and its regulations, our revenues are classified as Airport Services, Complementary Services or Commercial Services. Airport Services consist primarily of the use of runways, taxiways and aprons for landings and departures, aircraft parking, the use of passenger walkways, security services, hangars, automobile parking facilities as well as the general use of terminal space and other infrastructure by aircraft, passengers and cargo, including the lease of space essential for the operation of airlines and complementary service providers. Complementary Services consist primarily of ramp and handling services, catering, maintenance and repair, as well as related activities to support air carriers. Revenues from access fees charged to third parties providing complementary services are classified as Airport Services. Commercial Services consist of services that are not considered essential to the operation of an airport, such as the lease of space to retailers, restaurants and banks.

 

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based upon the customer’s payment history and current creditworthiness. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. Even though these credit losses have historically been within our expectations and we have an established allowance to provide for losses, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. Since our accounts receivable are concentrated in the hands of a few large customers, a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of any one of these customers could have a material adverse impact on the collection of our accounts receivables and our future operating results.
Valuation of Rights to Use Airport Facilities and Airport Concessions
We periodically review the carrying value of our rights to use airport facilities and airport concessions. This review is based on our projections of anticipated discounted future cash flows over the life of our assets or concessions, as appropriate. Since our airport concessions expire in 2048, significant management judgment is required to estimate these future cash flows. While we believe that our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions about such cash flows could materially affect our evaluations including assumptions concerning passenger traffic, changes in rates, inflation and operating costs. Additionally, in analyzing the carrying value of our airport concessions, we compare the aggregate carrying value of all nine of our airport concessions to the net cash flows derived from all of the airports, as we are not permitted to dispose of or cease operating any individual airport. The aggregate net cash flows from all of our airports exceeds the carrying value of the airport concessions. Accordingly, because we analyze our valuation estimates on an aggregate level, we have not recognized any impairment loss in the carrying value of an individual airport concession where the carrying value of the individual airport concession exceeds the net cash flows of that airport.
Deferred Income Tax, Employees’ Statutory Profit Sharing, Flat Rate Business Tax and Asset Tax
Our income tax expense, employees’ statutory profit sharing and asset tax is comprised of current expenses and deferred expenses. Deferred income tax and deferred flat rate business tax represent the tax effects of temporary differences generated from the differences in the accounting and tax treatment of balance sheet items, such as our airport concessions, rights to use airport facilities and from non-balance sheet items such as tax loss carry-forwards and credits. Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing is calculated in a similar manner. These temporary differences and tax loss carry-forwards and credits are accounted for as deferred tax assets or liabilities on our balance sheet. The corresponding difference between the beginning and year-end balances of the recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities is recorded in earnings. Asset tax is a minimum tax that is calculated as 1.25% of the average tax value of virtually all of our assets. In 2007, we were subject to the asset tax, which may be recovered through rebates over the following ten years of up to 10% of the total asset tax paid and pending recovery, provided that this sum does not exceed the difference between the income tax paid during the period and the asset tax paid during the three previous years, whichever is lower, when the income tax exceeds asset tax in any of those years. Deferred income and flat rate tax assets, deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing assets and recoverable asset tax are not subject to valuation allowances if we estimate that there is a high probability that the assets will be realized. We have analyzed each airport on an individual basis and have recognized valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing and recoverable asset tax for some of our airport subsidiaries where taxable income is not expected in the near future. We have not recognized valuation allowances against tax loss carry-forwards generated by our other airport subsidiaries, whereby taxable profits are expected, because each is taxed on an individual basis and under current tax law these tax carry-forwards can be carried forward through the term of the airport concessions or a period of ten years. As our airport concessions expire in 2048, significant management judgment concerning a number of factors, including the number of passengers we anticipate in our airports, increases in rates and inflation; changes in the discount rate and taxes is required in determining any valuation allowance.

 

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Contingent Liabilities
We are a party to a number of legal proceedings. Under generally accepted accounting principles, liabilities are recognized in the financial statements when a loss is both estimable and probable. If the loss is neither probable nor estimable or if the likelihood of a loss is remote, no amounts are recognized in the financial statements. Based on legal advice we have received from our Mexican counsel and other information available to us, we have not recognized any losses in the financial statements as a result of these proceedings.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
During the last quarter of 2007, the Consejo Mexicano para la Investigación y Desarollo de Normas de Información Financiera, or Mexican Commission for Research and Development of Financial Reporting Standards issued certain Financial Reporting Standards and certain Interpretations to Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), which became effective on January 1, 2008, as follows:
B-2, Statement of Cash Flows, supersedes Bulletin B-12 “Statement for Changes in the Financial Position” and requires a statement of cash flows as part of a full set of financial statements in place of a statement of changes in financial position. This statement of cash flows classifies cash receipts and payments according to whether they stem from operating, investing, or financing activities and provides a definition of each category. Cash flows from operating activities will be reported by directly showing major classes of operating cash receipts and payments (the direct method), or by reporting the same amount of net cash flow from operating activities indirectly by adjusting net income to reconcile it to net cash flow from operating activities (the indirect method) by removing the effects of (a) all deferrals of past operating cash receipts and accruals of expected future operating cash receipts and payments and (b) all items that are included in net income that do not affect operating cash receipts and payments. FRS B-2 also requires that a statement of cash flows report the reporting currency equivalent of foreign currency cash flows using the current exchange rate at the time of the cash flows; the effect of exchange rate changes on cash held in foreign currencies will be reported as a separate item in the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents. Restatement of financial statements for years provided before 2008 is not required by FRS B-2.
FRS B-10, Effects of Inflation, replaces the previous Bulletin B-10 “Recognition of the Effect of Inflation in Financial Information” and establishes standards for recognizing the effects of inflation in an entity’s financial statements as measured by changes in a general price index only, eliminating the use of any other valuation method established in the previous Bulletin B-10. FRS B-10 provides criteria for identifying both inflationary and non-inflationary environments, and provides that the effects of inflation shall be recognized in financial statements when the general price index applicable to a specific entity rises more than 26% in a cumulative three-year period. Upon adoption, FRS B-10 provides an option for the accounting treatment of the result from holding non-monetary assets recognized by an entity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss under previous guidelines; this result may either be recycled from stockholders’ equity to income as it is realized or the outstanding balance of such result may be reclassified to retained earnings in the period in which this standard becomes effective. Pursuant to FRS Mexican B-10, since the cumulative inflation in Mexico measured by the NCPI in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 was below 26%, the companies in the Group ceased recognizing the effects of inflation in financial statements beginning January 1, 2008. The most significant impact of this change is that the result from monetary position is not determined for 2008.

 

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FRS B-15, Translation of Foreign Currencies, replaces the previous Bulletin B-15, “Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation of Financial Statements of Foreign Operations” and introduces the concepts of accounting currency, functional currency and reporting currency. FRS B-15 sets forth procedures for translating financial statements from the accounting currency of a foreign operation into the applicable functional currency, and from the functional currency of a foreign operation into the required reporting currency. FRS B-15 also permits that an entity may present its financial statements in a reporting currency other than its functional currency. Restatement of financial statements for years provided before 2008 is not required by FRS B-15. The provisions of FRS B-15 did not have a significant effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
FRS D-3, Benefits to Employees, replaces the previous Mexican GAAP Bulletin D-3 “Labor Obligations” and provides standards for recognizing those benefits granted by an entity to its employees, including direct, termination and retirement benefits, as well as other related provisions. FRS D-3 requires shorter amortization periods for items subject to be amortized, including an option to recognize in income any actuarial gain or loss, and does not require the recognition of a transition asset or liability other than benefits granted in a plan amendment (prior service cost). FRS D-3 eliminates in certain instances the recognition of an additional liability determined on the actuarial computation of retirement benefits without consideration of salary increases; consequently, a related intangible asset and an eventual stockholders’ equity adjustment derived from the recognition of this additional liability are no longer required. FRS D-3 also requires the recognition of any termination benefit costs directly in income as a provision, with no deferral of any unrecognized prior service cost or related actuarial gain or loss. Additionally, FRS D-3 recognizes the employees’ profit sharing required to be paid under certain circumstances in Mexico, as a direct benefit to employees. The provisions of FRS D-3 are not expected to have a significant effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
FRS D-4, Income Taxes, replaces the previous Mexican GAAP Bulletin D-4, “Accounting for income tax, asset tax and employees’ profit sharing”, and provides additional guidance for valuation, presentation and disclosure of both current and deferred income taxes accrued for a period. FRS D-4 eliminates from its scope the accounting for employees’ profit sharing, since this line item is deemed an ordinary expense associated with benefits to employees, and therefore, under the scope of FRS D-3. FRS D-4 also recognizes the Mexican asset tax paid as a tax credit to the extent of its expected recovery. In addition, FRS D-4 requires the reclassification to retained earnings of any outstanding cumulative effect of deferred income taxes recognized in stockholders’ equity, in the period in which this standard becomes effective. The provisions of FRS D-4 did not have a significant effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
IFRS 8, Effects of the Flat Rate Business Tax, became effective in October 2007, and requires a company to evaluate the effects of the IETU, the flat rate business tax that became effective in Mexico in January 2008, on its deferred income tax asset or liability position for the fourth quarter of 2007, based on projected results of operations for periods beginning in 2008. Beginning on October 1, 2007, based on financial and tax projections of each subsidiary which show that, with the exception of Aeropuerto de Cancún, S.A. de C.V. (Cancún Airport), the rest of our subsidiaries are expected to principally pay IETU in the future, the Company has a net write-off of Ps. 150 million, representing the cumulative deferred income taxes of these subsidiaries. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we recognized a deferred IETU tax liability of Ps. 706.6 million and deferred IETU tax asset of Ps. 217.4 million, corresponding to timing differences generated in the calculation of the IETU taxable base which are expected to occur in future periods in the following subsidiaries: Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Mérida, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V.

 

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Differences between Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with Mexican FRS, which differs in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 16 to our financial statements. Net income under U.S. GAAP was Ps. 487.9 million, Ps. 431.6 million and Ps. 257.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.
The principal differences between Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to us are the treatment of the investments in our concessions and rights to use airport facilities and the related effect on deferred income taxes, the treatment of fees from leasehold agreements, impairment reversals and write-offs of asset tax recoverables. Each of these differences affects both net income and stockholders’ equity. See Note 16 to our financial statements for a discussion of these differences and the effect on our results of operation.
New U.S. Accounting Standards
We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of the following recently issued accounting standards will have on our financial position, result of operations and disclosures.
In December 2007, the FASB published SFAS No. 160 “Non Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” – an amendment of ARB No. 51. This statement addresses the reporting of minority interests in the results of the parent and provides direction for the recording of such interests in the financial statements. It also provides guidance for the recording of various transactions related to the minority interests, as well as certain disclosure requirements.
SFAS No. 160 will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods after December 15, 2008 and shall be applied prospectively.
In December 2007, the FASB published SFAS No. 141-R “Business Combinations”, which replaces SFAS No. 141. This statement improves the reporting of information about a business combination and its effects. This statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer will recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquisition. Also, the statement determines the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and finally, determines the disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.
SFAS No 141-R will be effective for all business combinations with an acquisition date on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period after December 15, 2008; earlier adoption is prohibited.
In February 2007 the FASB published SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial liabilities.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The objective of this Statement is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.

 

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This Statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. This statement does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. This Statement does not establish requirements for recognizing and measuring dividend income, interest income, or interest expense, and does not eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards, including requirements for disclosures about fair value measurements included in SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”, and SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for all fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
In September 2006 the FASB published SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”, which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 establishes a common definition of fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 was to be effective for financial statements issued in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. On February 6, 2008, the FASB issued a position paper that partially defers SFAS No. 157 for one year relating to non-financial assets and liabilities, except those items disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.
On March 19, 2008 the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” This new standard requires enhanced disclosures for derivative instruments, including those used in hedging activities. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We are not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements, nor have we been involved in any such transactions in the past.
Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations
                                         
    Payments due by period (in millions of pesos)  
            Less than 1                     More than  
Contractual Obligations   Total     year     1-3 years     3-5 years     5 years  
Master Development Plan
  Ps. 570     Ps. 570     Ps.       Ps.       Ps.    
Purchase Obligations
                                       
Operating Lease Obligations
    9       8       1                  
Technical Assistance Agreement(1)
    92       92                          
 
                             
Total
  Ps. 671     Ps. 670     Ps. 1     Ps.       Ps.    
 
                             
 
     
(1)   Reflects fixed minimum amount due under the Technical Assistance Agreement. Actual amount to be paid in any year may be higher because technical assistance fees are calculated as the greater of a fixed dollar amount (subject to certain adjustments) and 5% of our annual consolidated earnings before comprehensive financing cost, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (determined in accordance with Mexican FRS and calculated prior to deducting the technical assistance fee).
Our current master development plans went into effect on January 1, 2004 and expire December 31, 2008. New master development plans are currently under review by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. We are unable to provide any further information as to future contractual obligations under the new master development plans until they are approved.

 

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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Directors
Our board of directors is responsible for the management of our business. Pursuant to our bylaws, the board of directors must consist of an uneven number of directors determined at an ordinary general meeting of stockholders and is required to have at least seven, but not more than twenty-one, members. Currently, the board of directors consists of seven directors, each of whom is elected at the annual stockholders’ meeting for a term of one year or until a successor has been appointed.
Our bylaws provide that the holders of Series BB shares are entitled to elect two members and their alternates to the board of directors. Our remaining directors are elected by the holders of our Series B shares. Under our bylaws, each stockholder or group of stockholders owning at least 10% of our capital stock in the form of Series B shares is entitled to elect one member to the board of directors for each 10% interest that it owns. The other directors to be elected by the holders of our Series B shares are elected by majority vote of all holders of Series B shares present at the stockholders’ meeting (including stockholders that individually or as part of a group elected a director as a result of their 10% stake). On February 28, 2001 the stockholders voted to eliminate alternate members of the board of directors with respect to those directors elected by holders of Series B shares.
The following table lists our directors as of the date of this annual report, their title and date of appointment:
         
Name   Title   Director Since
Fernando Chico Pardo(1)
  Director and Chairman
(also Chief Executive Officer)
  April 28, 2005
Ricardo Guajardo Touche(3)
  Director   February 28, 2001
Francisco Garza Zambrano(3)
  Director   February 28, 2001
George J. Vojta(3)
  Director   April 28, 2003
Roberto Servitje Sendra(3)
  Director   April 25, 2008
Luis Chico Pardo(3)
  Director   April 25, 2008
Rasmus Christiansen(2)
  Director   April 27, 2007
 
     
(1)   Elected by ITA as holder of Series BB shares, with Federico Chavez Peón Mijares as Alternate.
 
(2)   Elected by ITA as holder of Series BB shares, with Mikael Sjørslev as Alternate.
 
(3)   Independent Director.
Fernando Chico Pardo. Mr. Chico Pardo is a member of our board of directors, Chairman of the Board since April 28, 2005 and our Chief Executive Officer since January 19, 2007. He is the founder and President of Promecap, S.C. since 1997. Previously, Mr. Chico Pardo was the Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Financiero Inbursa, S.A. de C.V., Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Acciones e Inversora Bursatil, S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, founder and Chairman of Acciones y Asesoria Bursatil, S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Director of Metals Procurement at Salomon Brothers (New York) and the Latin America Representative for Mocatta Metals Corporation and the Mexico Representative for Standard Chartered Bank (London). Mr. Chico Pardo is a member of the board of directors of, among others, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, Grupo Carso, Sanborns Hermanos, Sears Roebuck de Mexico and Grupo Posadas. He is 56 years old. Mr. Chico Pardo was appointed by ITA.

 

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Ricardo Guajardo Touche. Mr. Guajardo is a member of our board of directors. He was President of Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, S.A. from 2000 to 2004, a President and General Director of Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, S.A. from 1991 to 2000 and General Director of Grupo Vamsa since 1989. He is presently a member of the board of directors of Grupo Bimbo and Almacenes Coppel, and has served on the board of directors of Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA), Grupo Valores de Monterrey (VAMSA), Transportacion Maritima Mexicana (TMM), Alfa and El Puerto de Liverpool. He is 60 years old. Mr. Guajardo is an independent director.
Francisco Garza Zambrano. Mr. Garza is a member of our board of directors and he has served as President of Cementos Mexicanos of Norteamerica y Trading (his current position), as President of Cementos Mexicanos Mexico, as President of Cementos Mexicanos Panama, as President of Cementos Mexicanos Venezuela and as President of Cementos Mexicanos E.U.A. He was formerly on the board of directors of Control Administrativo Mexicano S.A. de C.V., Vitro Plano, S.A. de C.V., Universidad de Monterrey, Camara Nacional del Cemento (CANACEM), Club Industrial, A.C. and Fundacion Mexicana para la Salud. He is 53 years old. Mr. Garza is an independent director.
George Vojta. Mr. Vojta is a member of our board of directors and has been President and Director of the Financial Services Forum since 1999. Previously, Mr. Vojta was Vice Chairman of the Board of Bankers Trust, President of Deak & Company, Chief Financial Officer of Phibro-Salomon, Inc. and Deputy Vice Chairman of Citigroup. Mr. Vojta is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Westchester Group LLC, Chairman of Wharton Financial Institutions Center and the Yale Center for Corporate Governance and Performance. He is 72 years old. Mr. Vojta is an independent director.
Roberto Servitje Sendra. Mr. Servitje is a member of our board of directors. He has been the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Bimbo (1969), as well as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (1978) and the Executive President (1990). He is currently Chairman of the Grupo Bimbo’s board of directors (since 1994). He is also currently a member of the board of directors of FEMSA, as well as of the advisory boards of Chrysler Mexico, Grupo Altex, the School of Banking and Commerce and the Hermann International Memorial. He is 80 years old. Mr. Servitje is an independent director.
Luis Chico Pardo. Mr. Chico is a member of our board of directors. He has held positions as an Economist at the Bank of Mexico, as the Manager of the International Division at the Bank of Mexico, as the General Coordinator of the Credit Department at the Mexican Ministry of Finance, as Chief Executive Officer of Banco Mexicano, as Executive Vice-President of Banco Mexicano Somex, and as Chief Executive Officer of Banco B.C.H. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the venture capital investment firm Promecap. Mr. Chico Pardo is 68 years old. Mr. Chico is an independent director.
Rasmus Christiansen. Mr. Christiansen is a member of our board of directors and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Copenhagen Airports International A/S. Previously, Mr. Christiansen served as Vice President of Copenhagen Airports International A/S, Director, Development & Acquisitions of Copenhagen Airports International A/S, Director and owner of an import/export company in Hungary, Vice President of Dolce International, International Hotel Development & Operations, Chief Executive Officer of Scanticon Conference Center, Aarhus and Director of Sales of Scanticon Conference Center, Aarhus. He is 56 years old.

 

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Senior Management
Pursuant to our bylaws, the holders of Series BB shares are entitled to present the board of directors the name or names of the candidates for appointment as chief executive officer, to remove our chief executive officer and to appoint and remove one half of the executive officers. Currently, four executive officers report directly to the chief executive officer, one of whom was appointed by ITA as holder of the BB shares.
Since 2003, the duties of Director of Operations have been divided into two positions. Currently, Hector Navarrete Munoz is serving in the role of Regional Director of Operations and Gabriel Gurmendez Armand-Ugon is serving in the role of Director of Cancun Airport.
The following table lists our executive officers, their current position and their year of appointment as an executive officer:
         
Name   Principal Occupation   Executive Officer since
 
Fernando Chico Pardo*
  Chief Executive Officer   January 19, 2007
Adolfo Castro Rivas*
  Director of Finance
(chief financial officer)
  January 24, 2000
Gabriel Gurmendez Armand-Ugon
  Director of Cancun Airport   November 20, 2004
Hector Navarrete Muñoz
  Regional Director of Operations   January 15, 2003
Claudio Gongora Morales
  General Counsel   April 19, 1999
Manuel Gutierrez Sola
  Chief Commercial Officer   August 7, 2003
 
     
*   Appointed by ITA, as holder of Series BB shares.
Fernando Chico Pardo. Mr. Chico Pardo is a member of our board of directors, Chairman of the Board since April 28, 2005 and our Chief Executive Officer since January 19, 2007. He is the founder and President of Promecap, S.C. since 1997. Previously, Mr. Chico Pardo was the Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Financiero Inbursa, S.A. de C.V., Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Acciones e Inversora Bursatil, S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, founder and Chairman of Acciones y Asesoria Bursatil, S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Director of Metals Procurement at Salomon Brothers (New York) and the Latin America Representative for Mocatta Metals Corporation and the Mexico Representative for Standard Chartered Bank (London). Mr. Chico Pardo is a member of the board of directors of, among others, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, Grupo Carso, Sanborns Hermanos, Sears Roebuck de Mexico and Grupo Posadas. He is 56 years old. Mr. Chico Pardo was appointed by ITA.
Adolfo Castro Rivas. Mr. Castro has been our Director of Finance since January 2000. Prior to joining ASUR, Mr. Castro was Director of Finance and Administration of Ferrocarril del Sureste S.A. de C.V. Mr. Castro was also Chief Financial Officer of Netcapital, S.A. de C.V., Director of Finance of Grupo Mexicano de Desarrollo, S.A. de C.V., Finance Manager of Grupo ICA S.A.B. and an auditor and consultant with Coopers & Lybrand. He is 44 years old.
Gabriel Gurmendez Armand-Ugon. Mr. Gurmendez has been the Director of Cancun International Airport since November 2004. Previously, Mr. Gurmendez was the Minister of Transportation and Public Works and the President and Director of ANTEL, the national telecommunications company of Uruguay. Mr. Gurmendez has served as the General Manager of Consorcio Aeropuertos Internacionales S.A., the private concessionaire of the International Airport of Punta del Este, Uruguay. He also acted as interim President of Uruguay’s national oil company, ANCAP, the national railway, AFE, and the national waterworks company, OSE. He is 46 years old.

 

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Hector Navarrete Muñoz. Mr. Navarrete is the Regional Director of Airports. Previously, Mr. Navarrete was the Administrator of the Merida International Airport, Director of the Board of Culture and Tourism of the State of Yucatan, Coordinator of the Mayan Cultural Project in San Antonio, Texas, and President of the International Council of Latin American and Caribbean Airports for Airports Council International, and is an expert in international civil aviation security. He is 51 years old.
Claudio Gongora Morales. Mr. Gongora has been General Counsel since April 25, 2001. Previously, he was Sub-Director of ASUR (starting on April 19, 1999). Mr. Gongora also served as Legal Director of Azufrera Panamericana, S.A. de C.V., alternating as Legal Advisor for Compania Exploradora del Istmo, S.A. de C.V. He has been Legal Sub-Director of Comision de Fomento Minero, Legal Chief Consultant for Grafito de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., Terrenos para Industrias, S.A. de C.V., Terrenos de Jaltipan, S.A. de C.V., Macocozac, S.A. de C.V., Pasco Terminals, Inc. and Pasco International, Ltd. He is 56 years old.
Manuel Gutierrez Sola. Mr. Gutierrez has been our Chief Commercial Officer since August 7, 2003. Previously, since October 31, 2002, Mr. Gutierrez was our Acting Chief Commercial Officer, in charge of the negotiations of the commercial contracts for our airports and the implementation of the second stage of ASUR’s commercial strategy. Before that, he was our Concessions Manager since December 2000. Prior to joining ASUR, Mr. Gutierrez was Chief Operations Officer of G. Accion S.A. de C.V. and Machinery and Equipment Manager of Gutsa Construcciones, S.A. de C.V. He is 45 years old.
Share Ownership of Directors and Senior Management
With the exception of Fernando Chico Pardo (see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders”), Luis Chico Pardo and Francisco Garza Zambrano, directors and senior management do not own shares of ASUR. There are no compensation arrangements under which employees may acquire capital of ASUR.
Compensation of Directors and Senior Management
Directors received Ps. 5.03 million in aggregate compensation for the year ended December 31, 2007. We paid an aggregate amount of approximately Ps. 21.3 million for the services of our executive officers, which included payments to Promecap, S.C. to pay for the services of Fernando Chico Pardo.
No amount has been set aside by ASUR or its subsidiaries for pension, retirement or similar benefits.
Committees
Our bylaws provide for four committees to assist the board of directors with the management of our business: an Operating Committee, an Audit Committee, an Acquisitions and Contracts Committee and a Nominations and Compensation Committee.

 

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The Operating Committee, which is composed of four members, is responsible for proposing and approving certain plans and policies relating to our business, investments and administration, including approval of the master development plans of our subsidiary concession holders, our dividend policy and investments of less than U.S.$2 million that are not provided for in our annual budget. The board of directors appoints all the members of the Operating Committee. Board members elected by the holders of Series BB shares have the right to appoint two of the committee members and to appoint the chairman, who has a deciding vote in case of a tie. The consent of the Series BB directors is also required to select the members of the Operating Committee that are not members of our board or officers of our company. The current members of the Operating Committee are Fernando Chico Pardo, Rasmus Christiansen, Ricardo Guajardo and Francisco Garza Zambrano; the chairman position of the Operating Committee is vacant. A secretary has also been appointed who is not a member of the committee.
The Audit Committee must be composed of at least three members, all of whom must be independent, and is responsible for supervising the management and conduct of our business, as well as monitoring the activities of our board of directors, our officers and the officers of our subsidiaries for compliance with the bylaws and applicable law. With respect to financial reporting and auditing matters, the Audit Committee has oversight of our internal auditing and controls system, as well as the performance of our external auditors. The Audit Committee is also responsible for monitoring transactions with affiliates, including ITA and its stockholders. Our bylaws provide that the board of directors shall determine the number of members of the Audit Committee, which is required to comprise solely independent directors. All members of the Audit Committee must meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules issued thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The president of the Audit Committee is elected by a vote at the shareholders meeting, as is a secretary, who is not required to be a committee member. The committee also appoints among its members a special delegate who may not be a person appointed by the holders of Series BB shares nor be related to the committee members. The special delegate is charged with ensuring that ITA complies with its obligations under the technical assistance agreement it has with us. The current members of the Audit Committee are Ricardo Guajardo Touche, Francisco Garza Zambrano and George Vojta (who serves as our Audit Committee financial expert). A secretary has also been appointed who is not a member of the committee.
The Acquisitions and Contracts Committee, composed of three members, is responsible for ensuring compliance with our procurement policies set forth in our bylaws. Among other things, these policies require that the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee approve any transaction or series of related transactions between us and a third party involving consideration in excess of U.S.$400,000 and that any contract between us, on the one hand, and ITA or any of its related persons, on the other hand, be awarded pursuant to a bidding process involving at least three other bidders. Our bylaws provide that a stockholders’ meeting will determine the number (which must be an odd number) of members of the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee, which is required to be composed primarily of members of the board of directors. The members of the board of directors elected by the holders of Series BB shares are entitled to appoint one member to the committee. The current members of the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee are Fernando Chico Pardo, Ricardo Guajardo and Rasmus Christiansen; the chairman position of the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee is vacant. A secretary has also been appointed who is not a member of the committee.

 

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The Nominations and Compensation Committee was formed on October 12, 1999. The duties of the committee include the proposal to the general shareholders’ meeting of candidates for election to the board of directors and proposal to the board of directors of candidates for appointment as executive officers, as well as proposals to the general shareholders’ meeting regarding the removal and compensation of directors and officers. Our bylaws provide that a stockholders’ meeting will determine the number (which must be an odd number) of members of the committee. The holders of the Series B and Series BB shares, acting as a class, are each entitled to name one member of the Nominations and Compensation Committee. The remaining members of the committee are to be named by these two initial members. Members of the committee each have a term of one year. At each annual shareholders’ meeting after a public offering of our shares, the Nominations and Compensation Committee is required to present a list of at least seven candidates for election as directors for the vote of the Series B stockholders. At an ordinary stockholders’ meeting held February 28, 2001, our stockholders resolved that the Nominations and Compensation Committee be comprised of three members. The current members of the Nominations and Compensation Committee are Roberto Servitje Sendra, Rasmus Christiansen and Fernando Chico Pardo.
NYSE Corporate Governance Comparison
Pursuant to Section 303A.11 of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to provide a summary of the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those required for U.S. companies under the NYSE listing standards. We are a Mexican corporation with shares listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Our corporate governance practices are governed by our bylaws, the Securities Market Law and the regulations issued by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission. We also generally comply on a voluntary basis with the Mexican Code of Best Corporate Practices (Codigo de Mejores Practicas Corporativas) as indicated below, which was created in January 2001 by a group of Mexican business leaders and was endorsed by the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission. On an annual basis, we file a report with the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission and the Mexican Stock Exchange regarding our compliance with the Mexican Code of Best Corporate Practices.
The table below discloses the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE standards.
     
NYSE Standards   Our Corporate Governance Practice
 
   
Director Independence. Majority of board of directors must be independent. §303A.01
  Pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law, we are required to have a board of directors composed of a maximum of twenty-one members, 25% of whom must be independent. Stockholders are required to make a determination as to the independence of our directors. Our bylaws provide that our Board of Directors must be composed of such odd number of members as determined by our shareholders at the annual meeting, which shall not be less than seven and shall be subject to the maximum limit set forth by the Mexican Securities Market Law. Currently, our board has seven members, of which five are independent under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and as qualified by our shareholders as provided in the Mexican Securities Market Law.

 

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NYSE Standards   Our Corporate Governance Practice
 
   
 
  The definition of independence applicable to us pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law differs in certain respects from the definition applicable to U.S. issuers under the NYSE rules.
 
   
Executive Sessions. Non-management directors must meet regularly in executive sessions without management. Independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year. §303A.03
  Our non-management and independent directors are not required to meet in executive sessions and generally do not do so. Executive sessions are not expressly recommended by the Mexican Code of Best Corporate Practices.
 
None of our members of management are members of our Board of Directors nor our other committees, except for our CEO, who is a member of the Board of Directors, the Operating Committee, the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee and the Nominations and Compensation Committee.
 
   
Audit committee. Audit committee satisfying the independence and other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the more stringent requirements under the NYSE standards is required. §§303A.06, 303A.07
  We are in compliance with the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3, but the members of our Audit Committee are not required to satisfy the NYSE independence and other audit committee standards that are not prescribed by Rule 10A-3.
 
The principal characteristics of our Audit Committee are as follows:
   
 
   
 
 
     Our Audit Committee is composed of three members, all of whom are members of our board of directors.
 
   
 
 
     All of the members of our Audit Committee and the committee’s president are independent.
 
   
 
 
     The Chairman of the Audit Committee is appointed and/or removed exclusively by the general shareholders’ meeting.
 
   
 
 
     Our Audit Committee operates pursuant to provisions in the Mexican Securities Market Law and our bylaws.
 
   
 
 
     Our Audit Committee submits an annual report regarding its activities to our Board of Directors.
 
   
 
 
     The duties of our Audit Committee include, among others, the following:
       
 
   
     overseeing of our internal auditing and controls systems,
 
   
     appointing and removing, and supervising our external auditor and establishing the scope of the external auditor’s duties and responsibilities,

 

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NYSE Standards   Our Corporate Governance Practice
 
 
     
     ensuring compliance with our bylaws by officers and directors of the company and its subsidiaries,
 
 
     
     making recommendations to the Nomination and Compensation Committee with respect to the removal of directors and officers for violations of the bylaws or any other applicable legal provision,
 
 
     
     overseeing compliance with the corporate governance provisions as set forth in the General Law of Business Companies (Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles), and the Mexican Securities Market Law and protection of minority shareholder rights,
 
 
     
     overseeing related-party transactions,
and
 
 
     
     preparing certain regular reports for the board of directors pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law and our bylaws.
 
   
Nominating/corporate governance and compensation committee. Nominating/corporate governance committee of independent directors and compensation committee of independent directors are required. Compensation committee must approve executive officer compensation. Each committee must have a charter specifying the purpose, duties and evaluation procedures of the committee. §303A.04 and §303A.05
  Pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law, we are required to have a committee that performs corporate governance functions (comite de practicas societarias). The board has vested all such functions and responsibilities in our Audit Committee.
 
The duties of our Audit Committee with regard to corporate practices are, among others, the following:
     
     evaluating the performance of relevant officers,
     
     reviewing related-party transactions, and
     
     determining the total compensation package of the chief executive officer.

We are not required to have a nominating or a compensation committee, but the Mexican Code of Best Corporate Practices recommends that companies have an evaluation and compensation committee. Our bylaws provide for a Nominations and Compensation Committee, which we believe carries out the principal duties of an evaluation and compensation committee and a nominating/corporate governance committee.

 

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NYSE Standards   Our Corporate Governance Practice
 
   
 
  The duties of our Nomination and Compensation Committee include, among others, the following:
 
   
 
 
     proposing individuals to serve as directors at the shareholders meeting,
 
   
 
 
     proposing individuals to serve as officers to the Board of Directors,
 
   
 
 
     proposing compensation for directors and officers at the shareholders’ meeting or to the Board of Directors, as applicable,
 
   
 
 
     proposing for consideration at the shareholders’ meeting the removal of members of the Board of Directors and officers, and
 
   
 
 
     submitting an annual report on its activities to the Board of Directors and the shareholders.
 
   
 
  The Nomination and Compensation Committee is currently composed of three members who are appointed by the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting. Pursuant to our bylaws, at least one member is appointed by the Series B shareholders and at least one member is appointed by the Series BB shareholders. Our Nomination and Compensation Committee is not required to be composed of independent directors.
 
   
Equity compensation plans. Equity compensation plans require shareholder approval, subject to limited exemptions.
  Shareholder approval is not expressly required under our bylaws for the adoption and amendment of an equity-compensation plan. No equity-compensation plans have been approved by our shareholders.
 
   
Code of Ethics. Corporate governance guidelines and a code of business conduct and ethics is required, with disclosure of any waiver for directors or executive officers. §303A.10
  We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our directors and executive officers, which is available to you free of charge upon request and at www.asur.com.mx. We are required by Item 16B of Form 20-F to disclose any waivers granted to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and persons performing similar functions, as well as to our other officers/employees.

 

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Employees
The following table sets forth the number of employees in various positions as of the end of 2005, 2006 and 2007.
                         
    As of December 31,     As of December 31,     As of December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
Administrative Employees(1)
                       
Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V.
    72       86       84  
Cancun Airport
    149       193       210  
Cozumel Airport
    19       19       21  
Huatulco Airport
    18       19       19  
Merida Airport
    44       43       47  
Minatitlan Airport
    18       18       19  
Oaxaca Airport
    20       22       24  
Tapachula Airport
    21       21       23  
Veracruz Airport
    25       25       26  
Villahermosa Airport
    21       23       24  
 
                 
 
Total Administrative Employees
    407       469       497  
 
                 
Unionized Employees(2)
                       
Cancun Airport
    112       116       122  
Cozumel Airport
    25       25       25  
Huatulco Airport
    19       19       19  
Merida Airport
    45       45       45  
Minatitlan Airport
    16       16       16  
Oaxaca Airport
    22       19       21  
Tapachula Airport
    16       16       16  
Veracruz Airport
    24       26       27  
Villahermosa Airport
    27       29       29  
 
                 
 
                       
Total Union Employees
    306       311       320  
 
                 
 
     
(1)   In April 2008, we transferred all of the non-unionized administrative employees employed by our airport operating subsidiaries to Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary.
 
(2)   In April 2008, we transferred all of our unionized personnel from our airport operating subsidiaries to RH Asur, S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary.
As of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we had approximately 713, 780 and 817 employees, respectively. Of the twenty-eight administrative employees added in 2007, seventeen were hired to work in Cancun Airport.
In addition, services relating to commercial operations, cargo, baggage screening and certain airport operations are provided by third parties, using their own personnel. As of December 31, 2007 there were approximately 162 employees providing such services.
Approximately 39.2% of our employees on December 31, 2007 were members of labor unions. A significant portion of the services rendered in our airports is provided by personnel employed by third parties.
In March 2008, we transferred all of our unionized personnel from our airport operating subsidiaries to RH Asur, S.A. de C.V, and in May 2008, we transferred all of our non-unionized employees from our airport operating subsidiaries to Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. RH Asur, S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. are wholly-owned subsidiaries that provide us with administrative and personnel services.

 

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All of our unionized employees are members of local chapters of the Mexican National Union of Airport Workers. As of April 2008, the labor relations with our employees in our airport operating subsidiaries are governed by one collective labor agreement that is negotiated by the local chapter of the union. Under applicable Mexican labor law, wages are renegotiated every year, while other terms and conditions of employment are renegotiated every two years. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
Tender Offer by Fernando Chico Pardo
On May 14, 2007 Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional II, S.A. de C.V., an entity indirectly owned and controlled by Fernando Chico Pardo, made a tender offer for the purchase in Mexico and the United States of America of up to 127,950,001 Series B shares (including Series B shares represented by ADSs), representing approximately 42.65% of the outstanding capital stock of ASUR.
Thereafter, Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional II, S.A. de C.V., resolved to waive the condition that it receive offers for at least 127,950,001 Series B shares and established that it would accept for purchase any number of Series B shares (including Series B shares represented by ADSs) offered for sale.
On June 22, 2007, Mr. Chico Pardo informed ASUR that the final aggregate number of ADSs that had been offered and accepted for payment in the tender offer in the United States of America was 2,867,302 ADSs (representing 28,673,020 Series B shares) and that the aggregate number of Series B shares offered and accepted for payment in the Mexican tender offer was 7,762,515.
A total of 12.15% of the aggregate capital stock of ASUR was offered and accepted for payment in the tender offer. The shares offered in the tender offer include Series B shares and ADSs previously directly owned by Mr. Chico Pardo and Copenhagen Airports.
In connection with the tender offers, on June 18, 2007, ITA, through Bancomext, notified ASUR of its decision to convert 22,050,000 Series BB shares into 22,050,000 Series B shares. ASUR was informed that these shares were transferred to Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional, S.A. de C.V., an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Chico Pardo, as a result of a de-merger agreement between Mr. Chico Pardo and Copenhagen Airports.

 

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Capital Stock Structure
The following table sets forth the current ownership of outstanding shares as of June 4, 2008, to the extent of our knowledge.
                                 
                    Percentage of total  
    Number of Shares     share capital  
Identity of stockholder   B Shares     BB Shares     B Shares(3)     BB Shares  
Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional II,
S.A. de C.V.(2)
    51,151,535             17.05 %      
ITA, through Bancomext (1) (2)(3)(4)
          22,950,000             7.65 %
Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional, S.A.
de C.V.(1)(2)(4)(5)
    22,050,000             7.35 %      
Public(6)
    203,848,465             67.95 %      
 
     
(1)   Pursuant to the Share Registry Book of ASUR, the shareholders that formally appear registered as such are (a) Indeval, as depositary of 255,000,000 Series B shares, (b) Bancomext, as holder of 22,050,000 Series B shares, and (c) Bancomext, as holder of 22,950,000 Series BB shares.
 
(2)   Our CEO Fernando Chico Pardo owns, directly or indirectly, (a) 51% of ITA, (b) 100% of Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional, S.A. de C.V., and (c) 100% of Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional II, S.A. de C.V.
 
(3)   Copenhagen Airports owns 49% of the capital stock of ITA.
 
(4)   Through the letter of instructions dated June 18, 2007, Bancomext, as trustee of the trust created under Trust Agreement dated December 18, 1998 and holder of 45,000,000 Series BB shares, informed ASUR of its decision to convert 22,050,000 Series BB shares into 22,050,000 Series B shares.
 
(5)   Through the letter of instructions dated July 25, 2007, ITA, as beneficiary of the trust created under Trust Agreement dated December 18, 1998 and holder of 45,000,000 Series BB shares, instructed Bancomext to release from the trust and physically deliver to Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional, S.A. de C.V 22,050,000 Series B shares.
 
(6)   To the knowledge of the Company and based on information contained in public reports, from June 25, 2007 until June 6, 2008, Agrupación Aeroportuaria Internacional II, S.A. de C.V., a company indirectly controlled and owned by Fernando Chico Pardo purchased 15,243,600 Series “B” shares, which represent 5.08% of ASUR’s outstanding capital stock.
ITA Trust and Shareholders’ Amended Agreement
The rules governing the sale of our Series BB shares to ITA required that ITA place all of its Series BB shares in trust in order to guarantee ITA’s performance of its obligations under the technical assistance agreement and ITA’s commitment to maintain its interest in ASUR for a specified period. Accordingly, ITA has placed its shares in trust with Bancomext. This trust, as amended in connection with the conversion of 22,050,000 Series BB shares described above, provides that ITA may instruct Bancomext with respect to the voting of the shares held in trust that currently represent 7.65% of our capital stock, regarding all matters other than capital reductions, payment of dividends, amortization of shares and similar distributions to our shareholders, which are voted by the trustee in accordance with the vote of the majority of the Series B shares.
Currently, ITA is restricted from transferring any of its remaining Series BB shares. After December 18, 2008, ITA may sell in any year up to 20% of its remaining ownership interest in us represented by Series BB shares. The term of the trust will be extended for an additional fifteen years if, at the end of the initial fifteen-year term, ITA holds shares representing more than 10% of our capital stock. ITA may terminate the trust before the second fifteen-year term begins if: (i) ITA holds less than 10% of our capital stock at the end of the initial term; and (ii) the technical services agreement has been terminated. ITA is required to deposit in the trust any additional shares of our capital stock that it acquires.

 

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ITA’s stockholders have entered into a shareholders’ agreement (and have amended ITA’s bylaws accordingly), which provides, among other things, that (i) most matters relating to ITA’s participation in ASUR’s management are to be decided by unanimity among the four members of its board of directors; such matters to include the removal of ASUR’s chief executive officer, the proposal to the board of ASUR’s chief executive officer, and the adoption or amendment of ASUR’s master development plans, business plans and investment plans, and (ii) the two directors in ITA’s board by each of Copenhagen Airports and Fernando Chico Pardo are entitled to appoint and dismiss one of the two directors to be elected by the Series BB shareholders. Currently, Copenhagen Airports and Fernando Chico Pardo are entitled to appoint two directors each out of ITA’s four directors.
Under the terms of the participation agreement and the trust agreement, each of ITA’s key partners, currently Copenhagen Airports and Fernando Chico Pardo, is required to maintain at least a 25.5% ownership interest in ITA prior to December 18, 2014, unless otherwise approved by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. There can be no assurance that the terms of the participation agreement or the trust would not be amended to reduce or eliminate these ownership commitments. If ITA or any of its stockholders defaults on any obligation contained in the trust agreement, or if ITA defaults on any obligation contained in the participation agreement or the technical assistance agreement, after specified notice and cure provisions, the trust agreement provides that the trustee may sell 5% of the shares held in the trust and pay the proceeds of such sale to us as liquidated damages.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Arrangements with ITA
The rules for the sale of the Series BB shares required ITA, ASUR and the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to enter into a participation agreement, which established the framework for the option agreement, the technical assistance agreement and the Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C., or Bancomext, trust agreement.
Pursuant to the technical assistance agreement and the participation agreement, ITA and its stockholders agreed to provide management and consulting services and transfer industry “know-how” related to the operation of airports to us. These agreements entitle ITA to propose to our board a candidate to be our chief executive officer, to appoint half our other executive officers and two members of our board of directors. These agreements also grant us a perpetual and exclusive license in Mexico to use all technical assistance and know-how transferred to us by ITA or its stockholders during the term of the agreement. The technical assistance agreement has a fifteen-year term and is automatically renewed for additional five-year terms, unless one party provides notice of its intent not to renew within a specified period. We are required under this agreement to pay ITA an annual fee equal to the greater of a fixed dollar amount or 5% of our annual consolidated earnings before comprehensive financing cost, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (determined in accordance with Mexican FRS and calculated prior to deducting the technical assistance fee under this agreement). The fixed dollar amount decreases during the initial five years of the agreement in order to create an incentive for ITA to increase our earnings before comprehensive financing cost, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. ITA is also entitled to reimbursement for the out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in its provision of services under the agreement. The agreement allows ITA, its stockholders and their affiliates to render additional services to us only if our Acquisitions and Contracts Committee determines that these related persons have submitted the most favorable bid in a bidding process. This process is described in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees— Committees.” In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we recognized expenses of U.S.$ 4.1 million, U.S.$ 5.8 million, U.S.$ 6.2 million, U.S.$ 6.6 million and U.S.$ 8.4 million, respectively, pursuant to the technical assistance agreement plus additional expenses of approximately U.S.$ 0.3 million, U.S.$ 0.1 million, U.S.$ 0.2 million, U.S.$ 0.1 million, and U.S.$ 0.1 million, respectively.

 

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Arrangements with Entities Controlled by Fernando Chico Pardo
In February 2007 we entered into a contract with Promecap, S.C. under which we retained the services of Fernando Chico Pardo as our Chief Executive Officer in exchange for a monthly fee equal to U.S.$37,804.
We also rent our executive offices in Mexico City from Gafapa, S.A. de C.V., another entity controlled by Fernando Chico Pardo.
Item 8. Financial Information
See “Item 18. Financial Statements” beginning on page F-1.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in legal proceedings from time to time that are incidental to the normal conduct of our business.
We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings in which we are seeking a confirmation of our right to terminate certain lease agreements upon the expiration of their term. These proceedings include litigation involving the duty-free stores in Cancun.
The municipalities of Cancun, Cozumel, Huatulco, Merida, Minatitlan, Veracruz and Villahermosa have given us notice requesting that we pay property tax (predial) for the property on which these airports are located. However, we believe that the request to pay this tax is not in accordance with applicable law relating to property in the public domain, which includes the airports we currently operate under concessions. We filed a protective action in court against the attempt to collect the tax by the municipal treasuries in each of these cities. Our cases against the municipalities of Cancun, Cozumel, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Villahermosa were decided in our favor. The legal proceeding involving Huatulco is still in progress.
We do not believe that liabilities related to any of these claims and proceedings against us are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
DIVIDENDS
The declaration, amount and payment of dividends are determined by a majority vote of the stockholders present at a stockholders’ meeting and generally, but not necessarily, on the recommendation of the board of directors. So long as the Series BB shares represent at least 7.65% of our capital stock, the declaration and payment of dividends will require the approval of the holders of a majority of the Series BB shares. Figures included in this subsection are stated in nominal pesos.

 

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Mexican law requires that at least 5% of a company’s net income (on a non-consolidated basis) each year (after profit sharing and other deductions required by Mexican law) be allocated to a legal reserve fund until such fund reaches an amount equal to at least 20% of its capital stock (without adjustment for inflation).
Mexican companies may pay dividends only out of earnings (including retained earnings after all losses have been absorbed or paid up) and only after such allocation to the legal reserve fund. The reserve fund is required to be funded on a stand-alone basis for each company, rather than on a consolidated basis. The level of earnings available for the payment of dividends is determined under Mexican FRS. The legal reserve of our holding company, Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V., is Ps. 194.04 million (which includes the required allocation corresponding to year 2007 net income). Our subsidiaries are required to allocate earnings to their respective legal reserve funds prior to paying dividends to Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
Dividends paid to non-resident holders with respect to our Series B shares and ADSs are not subject to Mexican withholding tax. Dividends that are paid from a company’s distributable earnings that have not been subject to corporate income tax will be subject to a corporate-level dividend tax (payable by us) calculated on a gross-up basis by applying a factor 1.4925 in 2004, 1.4286 in 2005, 1.4085 in 2006, 1.3889 in 2007 and 1.3889 thereafter. Corporate tax rates of 33% in 2004, 30% in 2005, 29% in 2006, 28% in 2007 and 28% thereafter are applied to the result. This corporate-level dividend income tax on the distribution of earnings may be applied as a credit against Mexican corporate income tax corresponding to the fiscal year in which the dividend was paid or against the Mexican corporate income tax of the two fiscal years following the date in which the dividend was paid. In the case of dividends paid in 2007, the credit would be applicable against the Mexican corporate income tax of the following three fiscal years. Dividends paid from a company’s distributable earnings that have been subject to corporate income tax are not subject to this corporate-level dividend income tax. Three of our subsidiaries (Cancun, Villahermosa and Merida) benefit from an injunction that reduced the rate for dividends from 47.0592% in 2005 to 32%.
As of December 31, 2007, we had no distributable earnings that were subject to corporate income tax. Until we generate such earnings subject to corporate income tax, dividends paid by us to non-resident holders of Series B shares and ADSs will be subject to the corporate-level dividend tax income discussed above.
On April 25, 2008, our stockholders approved the allocation of 5%, or Ps. 26.1 million, of our net profits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 to the legal reserve fund in compliance with Mexican law. The stockholders approved the allocation of 5%, or Ps. 27.1 million, of our net profits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 to the legal reserve fund on April 27, 2007, and approved the allocation of Ps. 30.1 million (5% of net income for fiscal year 2005) to the legal reserve fund on April 27, 2006.
On April 25, 2008, our stockholders approved the payment of a net ordinary cash dividend after income tax of Ps. 600 million or Ps. 2.00 per share for each outstanding Series B or BB share. This dividend was payable as of May 31, 2008. At the general stockholders’ meeting on April 27, 2007, our stockholders agreed to pay net dividends after income tax of Ps. 231.2 million or Ps. 0.77 per share. Because this dividend payment was not taken from the after-tax earnings account, it gave rise to an income tax of Ps. 88.9 million. At the general stockholders’ meeting on April 27, 2006, our stockholders agreed to pay net dividends after income tax of Ps. 218.6 million or Ps. 0.73 per share. Because this dividend payment was not taken from the after-tax earnings account, it gave rise to an income tax of Ps. 89.3 million.
In the absence of attractive investment opportunities, we intend to continue paying yearly dividends out of our annual net retained earnings. We do not currently intend to implement a stock repurchase program.

 

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We will declare any future dividends in pesos. In the case of Series B shares represented by ADSs, cash dividends are paid to the depositary and, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, converted into and paid in U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate, net of conversion expenses of the depositary. Fluctuations in exchange rates affect the amount of dividends that ADS holders receive. For a more detailed discussion, see “Item 10. Additional Information.”
On April 27, 2007, our stockholders granted our board of directors the power to declare and pay an extraordinary dividend to all shares representing our capital stock. Our board may declare and pay this extraordinary dividend at any time during 2007 and until the next annual shareholders’ meeting. The board may freely determine the terms and conditions of this extraordinary dividend.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
Stock Price History
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices for (i) the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in U.S. dollars and (ii) our common shares on the Mexican Stock Exchange in pesos. For more information, see “Item 10. Additional Information—Exchange Controls” for the exchange rates applicable during the periods set forth below. The information set forth in the table below reflects actual historical amounts at the trade dates and has not been restated in constant pesos.
The annual high and low market prices for (i) our common shares on the Mexican Stock Exchange in pesos and (ii) the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in U.S. dollars over the five most recent financial years is as follows:
                                 
Years ended   U.S.$ per ADR(1)     Pesos per Series B Share  
December 31,   Low     High     Low     High  
 
2003
    15.95       17.60       18.50       19.70  
 
                               
2004
    18.58       27.05       17.38       30.15  
 
                               
2005
    24.35       41.79       28.10       45.00  
 
                               
2006
                               
First Quarter
    28.93       35.19       30.56       37.00  
Second Quarter
    30.60       39.66       35.00       43.80  
Third Quarter
    30.40       38.37       29.00       42.50  
Fourth Quarter
    36.85       45.16       39.90       49.29  
 
                               
2007
                               
First Quarter
    41.07       49.41       45.80       54.50  
Second Quarter
    47.26       55.64       52.00       59.99  
Third Quarter
    42.18       56.17       47.09       59.60  
Fourth Quarter
    49.51       62.79       54.19       67.17  
                                 
    U.S.$ per ADR(1)     Pesos per Series B Share  
    Low     High     Low     High  
Monthly Prices
                               
December 2007
    56.77       62.60       61.80       67.16  
January 2008
    51.58       62.89       57.07       68.30  
February 2008
    51.25       56.15       55.30       60.40  
March 2008
    49.35       57.16       53.00       61.00  
April 2008
    55.27       63.54       58.36       67.38  
May 2008
    47.42       57.35       49.10       61.00  
June 2008 (2)
    49.72       51.99       51.34       53.34  
     
(1)   10 Series B shares per ADR.
 
(2)   Through June 18, 2008.
Sources: Mexican Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

 

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TRADING ON THE MEXICAN STOCK EXCHANGE
The Mexican Stock Exchange, located in Mexico City, is the only stock exchange in Mexico. Founded in 1894, it ceased operations in the early 1900s, and was reestablished in 1907. The Mexican Stock Exchange is organized as a corporation whose shares are held by brokerage firms. These firms are exclusively authorized to trade on the floor of the Exchange. Trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange takes place exclusively through an automated inter-dealer quotation system known as SENTRA, which is open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Mexico City time, each business day. Each trading day is divided into six trading sessions with ten-minute periods separating each session. Trades in securities listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange can, subject to certain requirements, also be effected off the Exchange. Due primarily to tax considerations, however, most transactions in listed Mexican securities are effected through the Exchange. The Mexican Stock Exchange operates a system of automatic suspension of trading in shares of a particular issuer as a means of controlling excessive price volatility. The suspension procedures will not apply to shares that are directly or indirectly (through ADSs or CPOs) quoted on a stock exchange outside Mexico.
Settlement is effected three business days after a share transaction on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Deferred settlement, even if by mutual agreement, is not permitted without the approval of the CNBV. Most securities traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange are on deposit with S.D. Indeval Instituto para el Deposito de Valores, S.A. de C.V., a privately-owned central securities depositary that acts as a clearing house, depositary, custodian and registrar for Mexican Stock Exchange transactions, eliminating the need for the physical transfer of shares.
The Mexican Stock Exchange is one of Latin America’s largest exchanges in terms of market capitalization, but it remains relatively small and illiquid compared to major world markets, and therefore subject to greater volatility.
As of December 31, 2007, 125 Mexican companies, excluding mutual funds, had equity listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. In 2007, the ten most actively traded equity issues (excluding banks) represented approximately 71% of the total volume of equity issues traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Although the public participates in the trading of securities, a major part of the activity of the Mexican Stock Exchange reflects transactions by institutional investors. There is no formal over-the-counter market for securities in Mexico.
The market value of securities of Mexican companies is, to varying degrees, affected by economic and market conditions in other emerging market countries and in the United States. In late October 1997, for example, prices of both Mexican debt securities and Mexican equity securities dropped substantially following declines earlier in the year in the Asian, Russian and Brazilian securities markets.

 

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Item 10. Additional Information
Bylaws
This section summarizes certain provisions of Mexican law and our estatutos sociales (bylaws), a copy of which is attached to this Form 20-F as Exhibit 1.1.
At our Extraordinary Stockholders’ Meeting held on April 27, 2006, our shareholders approved certain amendments to conform our bylaws to the provisions of the Mexican Securities Market Law and the Mexican Business Associations Law (Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles), as well as to clarify and adjust certain provisions thereof.
Purposes
The purposes of our company include the following:
    to acquire shares, ownership or other interests in companies engaged in the management, operation, including providing airport, complementary and commercial services, construction and/or use of civil aerodromes and in accordance with the Mexican Airport Law and its regulations, as well as to hold capital stock in companies that provide any other type of services and to vote the shares of any such companies; to sell, transfer or dispose of any such shares or ownership interests or other securities allowed by law;
    to receive and to provide the services as required to carry out our corporate purposes, including, without limitation, technical consulting services in the industrial, administrative, accounting, marketing or finance fields, in connection with the management, operation, construction and/or utilization of airports;
    to request and obtain concessions and permits for the management, operation, construction and/or utilization of airports, as well as for providing any other services necessary for the use of such airports and for carrying out any activity which supports and is related with such purpose;
    to obtain, acquire, use, license or dispose of all types of patents, certificates of invention, registered trademarks, trade names, copyright or rights with regard thereto, whether in Mexico or abroad;
    to obtain all types of loans or credits, with or without specific guarantee, and to grant loans, in each case, in the ordinary course of business of the Company;
    to grant any kind of guaranty and security on issued negotiable instruments or obligations assumed by the Company or by companies in which the Company may hold ownership interests, in each case, in the ordinary course of business of the Company;
    to issue any unsubscribed shares of our capital stock to be kept in our treasury in order to be delivered upon subscription thereof, as well as to execute option agreements that grant to third parties the right to subscribe and pay for our shares;
    to hold, possess, sell, transfer, dispose of or lease any assets, or real or personal property that may be necessary or convenient to carry out our corporate purposes; and
    generally, to carry out and perform all actions, agreements and related, incidental or ancillary transactions in furtherance of the above-mentioned purposes.

 

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Directors
Our bylaws provide that our board of directors will have such odd number of members as determined by the shareholders’ meeting, which number shall not be less than seven and shall be subject to the maximum limit set forth by the Securities Market Law.
Each person (or group of persons acting together) holding 10% of our capital stock in the form of Series B shares is entitled to elect one director. The shareholders of Series BB shares will have the right to appoint two members and their respective alternates. The remaining positions on the board of directors will be filled based on the vote of all holders of Series B shares, including those Series B holders that were entitled to elect a director by virtue of their owning 10% of our capital stock. The candidates to be considered for election as directors by the Series B stockholders will be proposed to the stockholders’ meeting by the Nominations and Compensation Committee. All directors are elected based on a simple majority of the votes cast at the relevant stockholders’ meeting. Our bylaws do not currently require mandatory retirement of directors after they reach a certain age. The compensation of our directors is proposed by the Nominations and Compensation Committee to all of our stockholders at stockholders’ meetings for their approval.
The number of directors to be elected by the holders of Series B shares is to be determined based on the number of directors elected by persons holding Series B shares representing 10% (individually or as a group) of our capital stock and by the holders of the Series BB shares. If less than seven directors are elected by 10% stockholders exercising their right to elect one director and by the holders of the Series BB shares, the total number of directors to be elected by the Series B holders will be such number as is required to reach seven. If seven directors are elected by 10% stockholders exercising their right to elect one director and by the holders of the Series BB shares, the Series B stockholders will be entitled to elect two directors in addition to those elected by 10% stockholders. If more than seven directors are elected by 10% stockholders exercising their right to elect one director and the holders of the Series BB shares, the Series B stockholders will be entitled to elect one or two directors in addition to the directors elected by 10% stockholders (individually or as a group) (depending on which number will result in an odd number of directors).
Authority of the Board of Directors
The powers of the board include, without limitation, the power:
    to participate in our strategic planning decisions,
    to authorize changes in our policies regarding financial structure, products, market development and organization,
    to oversee compliance with general corporate practices, our bylaws and the minority rights set forth thereunder,
    to call for stockholders’ meetings and act on their resolutions,
    to create special committees and grant them the powers and authority it sees fit, provided that said committees will not be vested with the authorities which by law or under our bylaws are expressly reserved for the stockholders or the board of directors,
    to determine how to vote the shares held by us in our subsidiaries,

 

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    to appoint our chief executive officer from among the candidates proposed by the members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Series BB shareholders, and to appoint those officers other than those designated by the Series BB directors or the Operating Committee, and
    to approve, upon proposal by the Operating Committee: (i) our annual budget and that of our subsidiaries; and (ii) the master development plan and any amendments thereto for each of the airports to be submitted to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
Meetings of the board of directors will be validly convened and held if a majority of its members are present. Resolutions at said meetings will be valid if approved by a majority of the members of the board of directors, unless our bylaws require a higher number. The chairman has a tie-breaking vote.
Resolutions at board meetings with respect to any of the issues listed below will be valid only if approved by the members of the board of directors elected by the holders of the Series BB shares:
    approval of our financial statements and those of our subsidiaries and their submission to the stockholders’ meeting,
    approval of the five-year master development plans for each of the airports operated by our subsidiaries,
    annual approval of the business plan and the investment budget,
    approval of capital investments not considered in the approved annual budget for each fiscal year,
    approval of any sale of assets having, individually or jointly, a value exceeding the lower of (i) U.S.$5.0 million, or (ii) 5% of the consolidated assets of the Company, but which does not exceed 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company,
    incurrence of any indebtedness, whether by means of direct loans or financial leases, in an amount greater than the lower of (i) U.S.$5.0 million, or (ii) 5% of the consolidated assets of the Company, but which does not exceed 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company,
    determine the manner in which the company shall vote its shares at the shareholders meeting of its subsidiaries, taking into consideration the proposal of the Operating Committee,
    proposal to increase our capital or that of our subsidiaries,
    approval of any sale of shares of the capital stock of our subsidiaries,
    approval of any purchase or sale of shares or interests in any company, except for: (a) the acquisition of shares and/or securities issued by investment companies, and (b) the acquisition of securities through investment companies (mutual funds),

 

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    approval or amendment of our management structure,
    creation of new committees, delegation of powers to the same and changes to the powers of any existing committee,
    approval of our dividend policy and the application of the Company’s profits and its submission to the stockholders’ meeting, and
    appointment of the chief executive officer from among the candidates proposed by the members of the board of directors appointed by the Series BB shareholders.
Powers of Series BB Directors
The Series BB directors are entitled to:
    present to the board of directors the name or names of candidates for appointment as chief executive officer,
    remove the chief executive officer,
    appoint and remove half of our executive officers,
    appoint two members of the Operating Committee and their substitutes, and at least one member of the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee and his or her substitute, and
    determine the composition of the Operating Committee.
Our Capital Stock
The following table sets forth our authorized capital stock and our issued and outstanding capital stock as of June 19, 2008:
Capital Stock
                 
    Authorized     Issued and outstanding  
 
Fixed capital stock:
               
 
               
Series B shares
    277,050,000 *     277,050,000 *
Series BB shares
    22,950,000 *     22,950,000 *
 
               
Variable capital stock:
               
 
               
Series B shares
           
Series BB shares
           
 
     
*   After giving effect to the conversion by ITA of 22,050,000 Series BB shares into 22,050,000 Series B shares in June 2007.
All ordinary shares confer equal rights and obligations to holders within each series. The Series BB shares have the voting and other rights described below.
Our bylaws provide that our shares have the following characteristics:
    Series B. Series B shares currently represent 92.35% of our capital. Series B shares may be held by any Mexican or foreign natural person, company or entity.
    Series BB. Series BB shares currently represent 7.65% of our capital. Series BB shares may be held by any Mexican or foreign natural person, company or entity.

 

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Under the Mexican Airport Law and the Mexican Foreign Investments Law, foreign persons may not directly or indirectly own more than 49% of the capital stock of a holder of an airport concession unless an authorization from the Mexican Commission of Foreign Investments is obtained. We obtained this authorization in 1999 and as a consequence these restrictions do not apply to our Series B or Series BB shares.
Voting Rights and Stockholders’ Meetings
Each Series B share and Series BB share entitles the holder to one vote at any general meeting of our stockholders. Holders of Series BB shares are entitled to elect two members of our board of directors and holders of Series B shares are entitled to name the remaining members of the board of directors.
Under Mexican law and our bylaws, we may hold three types of stockholders’ meetings: ordinary, extraordinary and special. Ordinary stockholders’ meetings are those called to discuss any issue not reserved for extraordinary stockholders’ meeting. An annual ordinary stockholders’ meeting must be convened and held within the first four months following the end of each fiscal year to discuss, among other things, the report prepared by the Board on our financial statements, the appointment of members of the Board and the determination of compensation for members of the Board. In addition, the ordinary stockholders’ meeting shall meet for the approval of any transaction representing the equivalent of 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company.
Extraordinary stockholders’ meetings are those called to consider any of the following matters:
    extension of a company’s duration or voluntary dissolution,
    an increase or decrease in a company’s minimum fixed capital,
    change in corporate purpose or nationality,
    any transformation, merger or spin-off involving the company,
    any stock redemption or issuance of preferred stock or bonds,
    the cancellation of the listing of our shares with the National Registry of Securities or on any stock exchange,
    amendments to a company’s bylaws, and
    any other matters for which applicable Mexican law or the bylaws specifically require an extraordinary meeting.
Special stockholders’ meetings are those called and held by stockholders of the same series or class to consider any matter particularly affecting the relevant series or class of shares.

 

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Stockholders’ meetings are required to be held in our corporate domicile, which is Mexico City. Calls for stockholders’ meetings must be made by the Chairman, the Secretary or any two members of the board of directors. Any stockholder or group of stockholders representing at least 10% of our capital stock has the right to request that the board of directors call a stockholders’ meeting to discuss the matters indicated in the relevant request. If the board of directors fails to call a meeting within fifteen calendar days following receipt of the request, the stockholder or group of stockholders representing at least 10% of our capital stock may request that the call be made by a competent court.
Calls for stockholders’ meetings must be published in the official gazette of the federation or in one newspaper of general circulation in Mexico at least fifteen calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. Each call must set forth the place, date and time of the meeting and the matters to be addressed. Calls must be signed by whoever makes them, provided that calls made by the board of directors must be signed by the Chairman, the Secretary or a special delegate appointed by the board of directors for that purpose. Stockholders’ meetings will be validly held and convened without the need of a prior call or publication whenever all the shares representing our capital are duly represented.
To be admitted to any stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must: (i) be registered in our share registry; and (ii) at least one business day prior to the commencement of the meeting submit (a) an admission ticket issued by us for that purpose, and (b) a certificate of deposit of the relevant stock certificates issued by the Secretary or by a securities deposit institution, a Mexican or foreign bank or securities dealer in accordance with the Mexican Securities Market Law. The share registry will be closed three days prior to the date of the meeting. Stockholders may be represented at any stockholders’ meeting by one or more attorneys-in-fact who may not be directors of ASUR. Representation at stockholders’ meetings may be substantiated pursuant to general or special powers of attorney or by a proxy executed before two witnesses.
Promptly following the publication of any call for a stockholders’ meeting, we will provide copies of the publication to the depositary for distribution to the holders of ADSs. Holders of ADSs are entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights pertaining to the Series B shares.
Quorums
Ordinary meetings are regarded as legally convened pursuant to a first call when at least 50% of the shares representing our capital are present or duly represented. Resolutions at ordinary meetings of stockholders are valid when approved by a majority of the shares present at the meeting. Any number of shares represented at an ordinary meeting of stockholders convened pursuant to a second or subsequent call constitutes a quorum. Resolutions at ordinary meetings of stockholders convened in this manner are valid when approved by a majority of the shares present at the meeting.
Extraordinary stockholders’ meetings are regarded as legally convened pursuant to a first call when at least 75% of the shares representing our capital are present or duly represented. Resolutions at an extraordinary meeting of stockholders pursuant to a first call are valid if taken by the favorable vote of shares representing at least 50% of our capital. Extraordinary stockholders’ meetings are regarded as legally convened pursuant to a second or subsequent call when at least 50% of the shares representing our capital are present or duly represented. Resolutions at an extraordinary meeting of stockholders pursuant to a second or subsequent call are valid if taken by the favorable vote of shares representing at least 50% of our capital.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, resolutions at extraordinary meetings of stockholders called to discuss any of the issues listed below are valid only if approved by a vote of shares representing at least 75% of our capital:
    any amendment to our bylaws which: (i) changes or deletes the authorities of our committees; or (ii) changes or deletes the rights of minority stockholders,
    any actions resulting in the cancellation of the concessions granted to us or our subsidiaries by the Mexican government or any assignment of rights arising therefrom,
    termination of the participation agreement that was entered into by ITA and the Mexican government in connection with the Mexican government’s sale of the Series BB shares to ITA,
    a merger by us with an entity the business of which is not related to the business of us or our subsidiaries, and
    a spin-off, dissolution or liquidation of ASUR.
Our bylaws also establish the following voting requirements:
    the amendment of the restrictions on ownership of shares of our capital stock requires the vote of holders of 85% of our capital stock;
    a delisting of our shares requires the vote of holders of 95% of our capital stock; and
    the amendment of the provisions in our bylaws requiring that a stockholder seeking to obtain control carry out a tender offer requires the vote of holders of 85% of our capital stock.
Right of Withdrawal
Any stockholder having voted against a resolution validly adopted at a meeting of our stockholders with respect to (i) a change in our corporate purpose or nationality, (ii) a change of corporate form, (iii) a merger involving us in which we are not the surviving entity or the dilution of its capital stock by more than 10%, or (iv) a spin-off, may request redemption of its shares, provided that the relevant request is filed with us within fifteen days following the holding of the relevant stockholders’ meeting. The redemption of the stockholders’ shares will be effected at the lower of (a) 95% of the average trading price determined on the closing prices of our shares over the last thirty days on which trading in our shares took place prior to the date on which the relevant resolution becomes effective, during a period not longer than six months, or (b) the book value of the shares in accordance with our most recent audited financial statements approved by our stockholders’ meeting. Pursuant to our bylaws, our stockholders have waived the right to redeem their variable capital contributions as provided in the Mexican General Law of Business Corporations.

 

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Veto Rights of Holders of Series BB Shares
So long as the Series BB shares represent at least 7.65% of our capital stock, resolutions adopted at stockholders’ meetings with respect to any of the issues listed below will only be valid if approved by a vote of a majority of the Series BB shares:
    approval of our financial statements,
    liquidation or dissolution,
    capital increases or decreases,
    declaration and payment of dividends,
    amendment to our bylaws,
    mergers, spin-offs or share-splits,
    grant or amendment of special rights to series of shares, and
    any decision amending or nullifying a resolution validly taken by the board of directors with respect to (i) presentation to the Board of Directors of the name or names of the candidates for appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (ii) removal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (iii) appointment and removal of half of the first-level management officers in accordance with the Technical Assistance Agreement, (iv) appointment of two members of our Operating Committee and their substitutes and at least one member of the Acquisitions and Contracts Committee and his or her substitute, and (v) appointment of the members of the Operating Committee whose appointment requires the consent of the holders of the Series BB shares.
Dividends and Distributions
At our annual ordinary general stockholders’ meeting, the board of directors will submit to the stockholders for their approval our financial statements for the preceding fiscal year. Five percent of our net income (after profit sharing and other deductions required by Mexican law) must be allocated to a legal reserve fund until the legal reserve fund reaches an amount equal to at least 20% of our capital stock (without adjustment for inflation). Additional amounts may be allocated to other reserve funds as the stockholders may from time to time determine including a reserve to repurchase shares. The remaining balance, if any, of net earnings may be distributed as dividends on the shares of common stock. A full discussion of our dividend policy may be found in “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividends.”

 

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Registration and Transfer
Our shares are registered with the Mexican Securities Registry, as required under the Securities Market Law and regulations issued by the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission. In the event of cancellation of ASUR’s registration with the Mexican Securities Registry, ASUR will be required to make a public offer to purchase all outstanding shares, prior to such cancellation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ASUR may be exempted from making the public offer if (i) at least 95% of stockholders agree not to make the public offer, (ii) the amount of the public offer is greater than 300,000 investment units (unidades de inversion or UDIS), and (iii) enough resources are transferred to a trust with a minimum term of six months specifically created for purposes of purchasing, at the same price of the offer, the shares of the stockholders that do not tender their shares. Unless the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission authorizes otherwise, the public offer price shall be the higher of the weighted average trade price (based on volume) for our shares during the thirty prior days on which shares may have been quoted prior to the commencement of the public offer during a period not longer than six months; in the event the number of days on which shares may have been quoted during such period is shorter than thirty, the days on which the shares were effectively quoted shall be taken into consideration; or if no shares traded during such period, the book value (valor contable) of the shares as calculated in accordance with the most recent quarterly report submitted to the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission and to the Mexican Stock Exchange. Any amendments to the foregoing provisions included in our bylaws require the prior approval of the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission and the resolution of the extraordinary stockholders’ meeting adopted by a minimum voting quorum of 95% of our outstanding capital stock.
Series BB shares may only be transferred after conversion into Series B shares, and are subject to the following rules:
    Except with the prior authorization by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, ITA is required to retain its interest in the Series BB shares through December 18, 2008.
    After December 18, 2008, ITA may sell in any year up to 20% of its interest in the Series BB shares.
    If ITA owns Series BB shares that represent less than 7.65% of our capital stock after December 18, 2013, those remaining Series BB shares must be converted into freely transferable Series B shares.
    If ITA owns Series BB shares representing at least 7.65% of our capital stock after December 18, 2013, those Series BB shares may be converted into Series B shares, provided the holders of at least 51% of Series B shares (other than shares held by ITA and any of its “related persons”) approve such conversion and vote against renewal of the technical assistance agreement.

 

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For purposes of our bylaws, a “related person” means any of the following:
    persons that have control or significant influence in an entity that forms part of the corporate group or consortium to which the company belongs, as well as the directors, managers or relevant officers of the entities that form part of such group or consortium,
    persons that have executive authority in an entity that forms part of a corporate group or consortium to which the company belongs,
    the spouse, common-law spouse, blood or civil-law relatives up to the fourth degree or in-laws up to the third degree, of any individuals that fall into any of the categories described above, as well as the partners, owners and co-owners of the entities mentioned above with whom they have a business relationship,
    entities that are part of the corporate group or consortium to which the company belongs,
    entities over which any of the persons referred to in the first three bullets above exercise control or significant influence,
    in the case of ASUR, ITA, and
    in the case of ITA, its stockholders and their related persons.
For purposes of our bylaws, “control” of a person means the ability of a person or group of persons to do any of the following:
    directly or indirectly impose decisions in general shareholders’ or owners’ meetings or any equivalent body or appoint or remove the majority of board members or managers of an entity,
    hold the rights that directly or indirectly allow the voting of over 50% of the capital of an entity, or
    directly or indirectly direct the management, strategy or principal policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of securities, under contract or otherwise.
Stockholder Ownership Restrictions and Antitakeover Protection
Ownership Restrictions
Holders of our shares are subject to the following restrictions:
    subject to the tender offer procedures described below, holders of Series B shares, either individually or together with their related persons, will have no ownership limitation whatsoever with regard to the shares representing such series;
    Series BB shares may represent no more than 15% of our outstanding capital stock;
    subject to the tender offer procedures described below, holders of Series BB shares, either individually or together with their related persons, may also own Series B shares without limitation,

 

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Any amendment to the above provisions requires the vote of shares representing 85% of our capital stock.
    no more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock may be owned by air carriers; and
    foreign governments acting in a sovereign capacity may not directly or indirectly own any portion of our capital stock.
Air carriers and their subsidiaries and affiliates are not permitted, directly or indirectly, to “control” ASUR or any of our subsidiary concession holders.
Change of Control and Tender Offer Procedures
Under our bylaws and applicable Mexican law, any person or group that intends to acquire, directly or indirectly, ownership of 30% or more of our ordinary shares through one or more transactions must make the acquisition through a public offer in accordance with applicable law and the following provisions of our bylaws:
    The offer must include both of our series of shares, and the consideration offered per share must be the same, regardless of the class or type of share.
    If the offeror intends to obtain control of the company, the offer must be for 100% of our capital stock, and if the offer does not imply obtaining control, then the offer must be for at least 10% of our capital stock.
    The offer must indicate the maximum number of shares it covers and, if applicable, the minimum number of shares on which the offer is conditioned.
    The offer may not provide any consideration that implies a bonus or higher price to the amount of the offer in favor of any person or group of persons related to the offeree (not including agreements that have been approved by our board of directors of the company, taking into account the opinion of our Auditing Committee, and have been disclosed to the investing public).
Such public offers will require prior approval from the majority of the members of our board of directors appointed for each one of the series of shares of our capital stock. In case the offeror intends to acquire control of the company, the provisions of the Securities Market Law relative to shareholders’ meetings and shareholders’ rights, insofar as they do not conflict with the provisions of this section, will apply.
For the purposes of the above, the following rules and procedures will apply under Mexican law and our bylaws:
    The offeror must inform us, through the board of directors, of the terms and conditions of the offer it intends to make by sending a notice to our board of directors.
    Immediately after it receives the notice, our board of directors must provide to the Mexican Stock Exchange a notice of applicable legal provisions, and make it available to all our shareholders.

 

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    Our board of directors must prepare, considering the opinion of the Audit Committee, its opinion with regard to the price or consideration offered, any other terms and conditions of the offer and conflicts of interest, if any, that each member of the board of directors may have with respect to the offer. This opinion may include the opinion of an independent expert retained by our board.
    Our board of directors will provide this opinion to the investing public through the Mexican Stock Exchange within three months after receipt of the offer notice, at the latest.
    The members of our board of directors and our chief executive officer of the company must disclose to the investing public, along with the opinions mentioned above, as applicable, the decision they will take in connection with their own shares.
    If our board approves the terms and conditions of any offer, the offeror must obtain prior authorization from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation for the “change of control” prior to the commencing the public offer. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulatory Framework—Reporting, Information and Consent Requirements.”
    For purposes of the preceding item exclusively, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 23 of the Mexican Airport Law, a person or group of persons shall be deemed to have control when it owns 35% or more of the capital stock of the company, has control of the general shareholders’ meetings, or is able to appoint the majority of the members in charge of management or otherwise control the company.
    If the holders of the Series BB shares express their interest in accepting an offer (which does not imply any obligation on their part to participate in such offer), the launching of the offer shall be conditioned upon obtaining prior authorizations from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, including those relating to the transfer of the Series BB shares and the replacement of ITA in its capacity as strategic partner under the technical assistance and participation agreements.
Changes in Capital Stock
Increases and reductions of our minimum fixed capital must be approved at an extraordinary stockholders’ meeting, subject to the provisions of our bylaws and the Mexican General Law of Business Corporations. Increases or reductions of the variable capital must be approved at an ordinary stockholders’ meeting in compliance with the voting requirements of our bylaws.
We may issue unsubscribed shares that will be kept in the treasury, to be subsequently subscribed by the investing public, provided that (i) the general extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approves the maximum amount of the capital increase and the conditions on which the corresponding placement of shares shall be made, (ii) the subscription of issued shares is made through a public offer after registration in the National Securities Registry, complying, in either case, with the provisions of the Securities Market Law and other applicable law and (iii) the amount of the subscribed and paid-in capital of the company is announced when the company makes the authorized capital increase public. The preferential subscription right provided under Article 132 of the General Law of Business Entities is not applicable to capital increases through public offers.

 

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In the event of a capital increase not involving a public offer, the shareholders will have a preferential right to subscribe to such increase, in proportion to the number of shares held by each at the time the increase is approved pursuant to the provisions of Article 132 of the General Law of Business Entities, as established hereinafter, unless the subscription offer is made under the provisions of Article 53 of the Securities Market Law, or in the case of an issuance of shares kept in the Treasury for conversion of debentures in terms of Article 210 bis of the General Law of Negotiable Instruments and Credit Transactions.
Our capital stock may be reduced by resolution of a stockholders’ meeting taken pursuant to the rules applicable to capital increases. Our capital stock may also be reduced by repurchase of our own stock in accordance with the Securities Market Law (See “—Share Repurchases”).
Share Repurchases
We may acquire, with prior agreement from the Board of Directors, the shares representing its capital stock or negotiable instruments that represent such shares, subject to the following conditions:
    The acquisition is carried out in the Mexican Stock Exchange.
    The acquisition and sale on the Mexican Stock Exchange is made at market price (except when dealing with public offerings or auctions authorized by the National Banking and Securities Commission).
    If the acquisition is charged against working capital, the shares may be kept by us without need of making a reduction of capital stock. Otherwise, if the acquisition is charged against the capital stock, the shares will be converted into unsubscribed shares kept in our treasury, without need of a resolution by the shareholders’ meeting.
    The company must announce the amount of the subscribed and paid-in capital when the amount of the authorized capital represented by the issued and unsubscribed shares is publicly announced.
    The general ordinary shareholders meeting will expressly determine for each fiscal year the maximum amount of resources that we may use to purchase our own shares or negotiable instruments that represent such shares, with the only limitation that the sum or total of the resources that may be used for such purpose may not exceed, at any time, the total balance of the net profits of the company, including retained profits.
    We are up to date in the payment of the obligations derived from debt instruments issued and registered in the National Securities Registry that we may have issued.
    The shares of the company and the negotiable instruments that represent such shares that belong to us or, if any, the shares issued and not subscribed that are kept in the treasury, may be placed among the investing public without requiring a resolution from the shareholders’ meeting or the board of directors. For the purposes of this paragraph, the provisions of Article 132 of the General Law of Business Entities will not apply.

 

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Shares of the company belonging to us may not be represented or voted in shareholders’ meetings, nor may corporate or economic rights of any kind be exercised, nor will the shares be considered as outstanding for the purpose of determining the quorum and the votes in shareholders’ meetings.
Ownership of Capital Stock by Subsidiaries
Our subsidiaries may not, directly or indirectly, invest in our shares, unless such subsidiaries acquired our shares to comply with employee stock option or stock sale plans that are established, granted or designed in favor of the employees or officers of such subsidiaries. The number of shares acquired for such purpose may not exceed 15% of our outstanding capital stock.
Liquidation
Upon our dissolution, one or more liquidators must be appointed at an extraordinary stockholders’ meeting to wind up our affairs. All fully paid and outstanding shares will be entitled to participate equally in any distribution upon liquidation. Partially paid shares participate in any distribution in the same proportion that such shares have been paid at the time of the distribution.
Other Provisions
Liabilities of the members of the Board of Directors
As with any other Mexican corporation, under the provisions of the Mexican Securities Market Law, we or any stockholder or group of stockholders holding at least 5% of our capital stock may directly file a civil liability action under Mexican law against the members of the board of directors.
The Mexican Securities Market Law expressly sets forth the concept of “duty of care” for the members of the board of directors; that is, they must act in good faith and in the company’s best interest. From a practical point of view, this means that the members of the board of directors must request and review information, require the presence of relevant managers and external advisors in board meetings, postpone board meetings as a result of incomplete information, attend board meetings regularly and disclose relevant information to the board and/or the committees.
The Mexican Securities Market Law expressly sets forth the concept of “duty of loyalty” for the members of the board of directors, that is, that they must maintain confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest and not favor their own interest or the interests of certain groups. From a practical point of view, the members of the board of directors must abstain from voting on issues in which they have a conflict of interest, follow guidelines for the approval of transactions with related parties, refrain from using or taking advantage of the assets of the company or its subsidiaries and refrain from using privileged information and from taking advantage of business opportunities. A lack of loyalty may result in criminal penalties of up to twelve years of imprisonment.

 

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In accordance with the provisions of the Securities Market Law, the responsibility to indemnify for the damages and losses caused to the Company due to any lack of diligence of the members of the Board of Directors, or its Secretary or Alternate Secretary, regarding any actions or decisions of the Board of Directors or any failure of the Board to act or make a decision because the Board could not legally meet, and in general for any lack of diligence, shall not, individually or in the aggregate, exceed the amount equivalent to the total of net fees received by such individuals from the Company during the prior twelve months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitation on the indemnification amount as set forth in this paragraph shall not be applicable in the event of fraud, willful misconduct, or illegal acts under the Securities Market Law and other laws.
The Company, in any case, is required to indemnify and hold the relevant officers, members of the Board of Directors and the Secretary and Alternate Secretary harmless from any liability that they may incur with respect to third parties in the performance of their duties, which shall include (a) the indemnity amount to be paid for the damages caused by their acts to third parties and, (b) the expenses they may incur (including, without limitation, legal and advisory fees) in connection with item (a) of this paragraph, provided that such expenses are reasonable and duly documented, except in cases of fraud, willful misconduct, or illegal acts under the Securities Market Law and other laws.
Information to Stockholders
The Mexican Securities Market Law establishes that our Board of Directors must present the following reports at the annual stockholder’s meeting:
    the report prepared by the Audit Committee,
    the report prepared by our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Mexican General Law on Business Corporations which includes (i) a report of the directors on the operations of the company during the preceding year, as well as on the policies followed by the directors and on the principal existing projects, (ii) a statement of the financial condition of the company at the end of the fiscal year, (iii) a statement showing the results of operations of the company during the preceding year, as well as changes in the company’s financial condition and capital stock during the preceding year, and (iv) notes which are required to complete or clarify the above mentioned information,
    the Board’s opinion on the report prepared by our Chief Executive Officer as set forth above, and
    a report explaining the principal accounting and information policies and criteria followed in the preparation of the financial information.
In addition to the foregoing, our bylaws provide that the board of directors must also prepare the information referred to above with respect to any subsidiary that represents at least 20% of our net worth (based on the financial statements most recently available).

 

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Duration
The duration of our corporate existence is indefinite.
Stockholders’ Conflict of Interest
Under Mexican law, any stockholder that has a conflict of interest with respect to any transaction must abstain from voting on such a transaction at the relevant stockholders’ meeting. A stockholder that votes on a transaction in which its interest conflicts with that of ASUR may be liable for damages in the event the relevant transaction would not have been approved without such stockholder’s vote.
Directors’ Conflict of Interest
Under Mexican law, any director who has a conflict of interest with ASUR in any transaction must disclose the conflict to the other directors and abstain from voting. Any director who violates such provision will be liable to us for any resulting damages or losses. Additionally, our directors may not represent stockholders in the stockholders’ meetings.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Our subsidiaries are parties to the airport concessions granted by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation under which we are required to construct, operate, maintain and develop the airports in exchange for certain benefits. See “—Sources of Regulation” and “—Scope of Concessions and General Obligations of Concession Holders” under “Item 4. Regulatory Framework.”
We are a party to a participation agreement with ITA and the Ministry of Communications and Transportation which establishes the framework for several other agreements to which we are a party. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Arrangements with ITA.”
We have entered into a technical assistance agreement and option agreement with ITA providing for management and consulting services. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Arrangements with ITA.”
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
Mexico has had free market for foreign exchange since 1991 and the government has allowed the peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar since December 1994. There can be no assurance that the government will maintain its current foreign exchange policies. See “Item 3. Key Information—Exchange Rates.”

 

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TAXATION
The following summary contains a description of the material anticipated U.S. and Mexican federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Series B shares or ADSs by a beneficial holder that is a citizen or resident of the United States or a U.S. domestic corporation or that otherwise will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of our Series B shares or ADSs and that is a “non-Mexican holder” (as defined below) (a “U.S. holder”), but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase our Series B shares or ADSs. In particular, the summary deals only with U.S. holders that will hold our Series B shares or ADSs as capital assets and does not address the tax treatment of special classes of U.S. holders such as dealers in securities or currencies, U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. holders that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of our outstanding voting shares, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, U.S. holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, securities traders who elect to account for their investment in Series B shares or ADSs on a mark-to-market basis and persons holding Series B shares or ADSs in a hedging transaction or as part of a straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the summary does not address any U.S. or Mexican state or local tax considerations that may be relevant to a U.S. holder.
The summary is based upon the federal income tax laws of the United States and Mexico as in effect on the date of this Form 20-F, including the provisions of the income tax treaty between the United States and Mexico and protocol thereto (the “Tax Treaty”), all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect in the case of U.S. federal income tax law. Prospective investors in our Series B shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S., Mexican or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Series B shares or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws and their entitlement to the benefits, if any, afforded by the Tax Treaty.
For purposes of this summary, the term “non-Mexican holder” shall mean a holder that is not a resident of Mexico and that will not hold the Series B shares or ADSs or a beneficial interest therein in connection with the conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment or fixed base in Mexico.
For purposes of Mexican taxation, the definition of residency is highly technical and residency results in several situations. Generally an individual is a resident of Mexico if he or she has established his or her home in Mexico, and a corporation is a resident if it is incorporated under Mexican law or it has its center of interests in Mexico.
In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holders of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owners of the Series B shares represented by those ADSs.

 

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Taxation of Dividends
Mexican Tax Considerations
Under Mexican Income Tax Law provisions, dividends paid to non-Mexican holders with respect to our Series B shares or ADSs are not subject to any Mexican withholding tax.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The gross amount of any distributions paid with respect to the Series B shares or ADSs, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. holder as ordinary income on the date on which the distributions are received by the depositary and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to certain corporations under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. To the extent that a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated as a non-taxable return of basis to the extent thereof, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of Series B shares or ADSs. Distributions, which will be made in pesos, will be includible in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date they are received by the depositary whether or not they are converted into U.S. dollars. If such distributions are converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the distributions.
Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual U.S. holder prior to January 1, 2011 with respect to the ADSs will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15% if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if: (i) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, and (ii) the issuer was not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the years in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (PFIC). The ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and will qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are so listed. Based on our audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2007 taxable year. In addition, based on our audited financial statements and our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2008 taxable year.
The U.S. Treasury has announced its intention to promulgate rules pursuant to which holders of ADSs or common stock and intermediaries through whom such securities are held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividends. Because such procedures have not yet been issued, it is not clear whether we will be able to comply with them. Holders of ADSs and common shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of their own particular circumstances.

 

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Taxation of Dispositions of Shares or ADSs
Mexican Tax Considerations
Gain on the sale or other disposition of ADSs by a non-Mexican holder will not be subject to any Mexican tax. Deposits and withdrawals of our Series B shares in exchange for ADSs will not give rise to Mexican tax or transfer duties.
Gain on the sale of our Series B shares by a non-Mexican holder will not be subject to any Mexican tax if the transaction is carried out through the Mexican Stock Exchange or other securities markets approved by the Mexican Ministry of Finance, and provided certain requirements set forth by the Mexican Income Tax Law are complied with. Sales or other dispositions of Series B shares made in other circumstances generally would be subject to Mexican tax, except to the extent that a holder is eligible for benefits under an income tax treaty to which Mexico is a party.
Under the Tax Treaty, a holder that is eligible to claim the benefits of the Tax Treaty will be exempt from Mexican tax on gains realized on a sale or other disposition of the Series B shares in a transaction that is not carried out through the Mexican Stock Exchange or such other approved securities markets, so long as the holder did not own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of our capital stock (including ADSs) within the twelve-month period preceding such sale or other disposition.
For non-Mexican holders that do not meet the requirements referred to above, gross income realized on the sale of the Series B shares will be subject to a 5% Mexican withholding tax if the transaction is carried out through the Mexican Stock Exchange. Alternatively, a non-Mexican holder can choose to be subject to a 20% withholding rate on the net gain obtained, as calculated pursuant to Mexican Income Tax Law provisions.
U.S. Tax Considerations
Upon the sale or other disposition of the Series B shares or ADSs, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the Series B shares or ADSs. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the Series B shares or ADSs have been held for more than one year. Long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. holder that is an individual is subject to lower rates of federal income taxation than ordinary income or short-term capital gain. The deduction of a capital loss is subject to limitations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Deposits and withdrawals of Series B shares by U.S. holders in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Gain, if any, realized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of the Series B shares or ADSs generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, if a Mexican withholding tax is imposed on the sale or disposition of the Series B shares, a U.S. holder that does not receive significant foreign source income from other sources may not be able to derive effective U.S. foreign tax credit benefits in respect of these Mexican taxes. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foreign tax credit rules to their investment in, and disposition of, Series B shares.

 

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Other Mexican Taxes
There are no Mexican inheritance, succession or value added taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of the Series B shares or ADSs by non-Mexican holders; provided, however, that gratuitous transfers of the Series B shares or ADSs may in certain circumstances cause a Mexican federal tax to be imposed upon the recipient. There are no Mexican stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by non-Mexican holders of the Series B shares or ADSs.
U.S. Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments by a paying agent within the United States to a non-corporate (or other non-exempt) U.S. holder of dividends in respect of the Series B shares or ADSs or the proceeds received on the sale or other disposition of the Series B shares or ADSs, and a backup withholding tax may apply to such amounts if the U.S. holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number to the paying agent. Amounts withheld as backup withholding tax will be creditable against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

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DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
The materials included in this annual report on Form 20-F, and exhibits hereto, may be viewed at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and information statements and other information regarding us. The reports and information statements and other information about us can also be downloaded from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

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Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk
We are principally exposed to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Our principal exchange rate risk involves changes in the value of the peso relative to the dollar. Historically, a significant portion of the revenues generated by our airports (principally derived from passenger charges for international passengers) has been denominated in or linked to the U.S. dollar, although such revenues are collected in pesos based on the average exchange rate for the prior month. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, approximately 38.1%, 35.1% and 32.8%, respectively, of our consolidated revenues were derived from passenger charges for international passengers. Substantially all of our other revenues are denominated in pesos. We estimate that substantially all of our consolidated costs and expenses are denominated in pesos (other than the salaries of our executive officers and the technical assistance fee, to the extent paid based on the fixed minimum annual payment). Based upon a 0.96% depreciation of the peso compared to the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2007, we estimate that our revenues would have decreased by Ps. 1.5 million.
As of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, 13.9%, 8.22% and 9.30%, respectively, of our cash and marketable securities were denominated in dollars. Based upon a 0.96% depreciation of the peso compared to the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2007, we estimate that the value of our cash and marketable securities would have increased by Ps. 0.98 million.
We did not have any foreign currency indebtedness at December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007. In the event that we incur foreign currency denominated indebtedness in the future, decreases in the value of the peso relative to the dollar will increase the cost in pesos of servicing such indebtedness.
At December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we did not have any outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
Not applicable.

 

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PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not applicable.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
We have evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2007 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We conducted an assessment of the effectiveness as of December 31, 2007 of our internal controls over financial reporting using the criteria set for in the “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, and that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on its assessment and using the criteria discussed above, our management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.

 

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PricewaterhouseCoopers, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited our financial statements, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, as stated in the report included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 16. [Reserved]
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors has designated George J. Vojta, an independent director as required by the Mexican Securities Market Law and applicable NYSE listing standards, as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of this Item 16A. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors.”
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our code of ethics applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer and persons performing similar functions as well as to our other officers and employees. Our code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form 20-F and is available on our website at www.asur.com.mx. If we amend the provisions of our code of ethics that apply to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer and persons performing similar functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our website at the same address.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007:
                 
    Year ended December 31,  
    2006     2007  
    (thousands of pesos)  
Audit fees
    5,467       8,725  
Audit-related fees
           
Tax fees
    38       187  
Other fees
    4,446       37  
 
           
Total fees
    9,951       9,286  
 
           
Audit fees in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our interim financial statements.
Tax fees in the above table are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for tax compliance.

 

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Other fees in the above table are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2007 for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our audit committee has not established pre-approval policies and procedures for the engagement of our independent auditors for services. Our audit committee expressly approves on a case-by-case basis any engagement of our independent auditors for audit and non-audit services provided to our subsidiaries or to us.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the total number of shares purchased by us or on our behalf, or by an affiliated purchaser or on behalf of an affiliated purchaser, the average price paid per share, the total number of shares purchased as a part of a publicly announced repurchase plan or program and the maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under our plans and programs.
                                 
    (c) Total             (c) Total number of shares          
    number of     (b) Average     purchased as part of     (d) Maximum number of shares  
    shares     price paid per     publicly announced plans or     that may yet be purchased under  
    purchased     share in Pesos     programs     the plans or programs  
2006
                               
January 1-31
                       
February 1-28
                       
March 1-31
                       
April 1-30
                       
May 1-31
                       
June 1-30
                       
July 1-31
                       
August 1-31
                       
September 1-30
                       
October 1-31
                       
November 1-30
                       
December 1-31
                       
 
                       
2006 Total
                       
 
                       
 
                               
2007
                               
January 1-31
                       
February 1-28
                       
March 1-31
                       
April 1-30
                       
May 1-31
                       
June 1-30
                       
July 1-31
                       
August 1-31
                       
September 1-30
                       
October 1-31
                       
November 1-30
                       
December 1-31
                       
 
                       
2007 Total
                       
 
                       
On April 25, 2008, our stockholders approved a decrease of Ps. 337.1 million to the share repurchase reserve account, resulting in a total share repurchase reserve account of Ps. 678.9 million.

 

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PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial Statements
See pages F-1 through F-42, incorporated herein by reference. The following is an index to the financial statements:
Consolidated Financial Statements for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
         
    Page  
 
       
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    F-1  
 
       
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2007
    F-3  
 
       
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007
    F-4  
 
       
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007
    F-5  
 
       
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007
    F-6  
 
       
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    F-7  
 
       

 

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Item 19. Exhibits
Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report:
         
Exhibit No.   Description
       
 
  1.1    
An English translation of the Amended and Restated Bylaws (Estatutos Sociales) of the Company (incorporated by reference to our Form 20-F/A filed on July 31, 2007).
       
 
  2.1    
Deposit Agreement among the Company, The Bank of New York and all registered holders from time to time of any American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).
       
 
  3.1    
Trust Agreement among the Company, ITA and Bancomext, together with an English translation (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).
       
 
  3.2    
Amendment dated May 15, 2007 to the Trust Agreement dated November 18, 1998 among the Company, ITA and Bancomext, English translation (incorporated by reference to our Form 20-F/A filed on July 31, 2007).
       
 
  4.1    
Amended and Restated Cancun Airport Concession Agreement and annexes thereto, together with an English translation and a schedule highlighting the differences between this concession and the Company’s other concessions (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).
       
 
  4.2    
Participation Agreement among the Company, the Mexican Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, Nacional Financiera, S.N.C. (“NAFIN”), Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V., Triturados Basalticos y Derivados, S.A. de C.V., Copenhagen Airports, Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, S.A., Groupe GTM, S.A., Inversiones y Tecnicas Aeroportuarias, S.A. de C.V. (“ITA”), Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C. (“Bancomext”) and ASA, together with an English translation (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).
       
 
  4.3    
Amendment to the Participation Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Technical Assistance Agreement among the Mexican Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, NAFIN, Bancomext, the Company, Servicios Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V. and Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V.; ITA, Triturados Basalticos y Derivados, S.A. de C.V., Copenhagen Airports, Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructura de Transporte, S.A. de C.V. and Groupe GTM, S.A. (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).

 

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Exhibit No.   Description
       
 
  4.4    
Second Amendment dated April 30, 2007 to the Participation Agreement dated December 18, 1998 among the Company, the Mexican Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, NAFIN, Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V., Triturados Basalticos y Derivados, S.A. de C.V., Copenhagen Airports, Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, S.A., Groupe GTM, S.A., ITA, Bancomext, ASA and Fernando Chico Pardo, English translation (incorporated by reference to our Form 20-F/A filed on July 31, 2007).
       
 
  4.5    
Technical Assistance and Transfer of Technology Agreement among the Company, Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V., Triturados Basalticos y Derivados, S.A. de C.V., Copenhagen Airports, Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, S.A., VINCI, S.A. and ITA, together with an English translation (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).
       
 
  4.6    
Amendment, dated January 1, 2008 to the Technical Assistance and Transfer of Technology Agreement among the Company, Grupo Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V., Copenhagen Airports, Fernando Gerardo Chico Pardo and ITA.
       
 
  8.1    
List of subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-12486) filed on September 7, 2000).
       
 
  11.1    
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to our Form 20-F filed on June 16, 2004).
       
 
  12.1    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  12.2    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  13.1    
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE,
S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE,
S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
INDEX
     
Contents   Page
 
   
  F – 1 and 2
 
   
Consolidated financial statements:
   
 
   
  F – 3
 
   
  F – 4
 
   
  F – 5
 
   
  F – 6
 
   
  F – 7 – 45
 
   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V., and its subsidiaries:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income , of changes in stockholder’s equity and of changes in financial position present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and their changes in the consolidated financial position for each of the three years for the periods ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 in conformity with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by Mexico (MFRS). Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” appearing under Item 15. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits for the years 2007 and 2006. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and auditing standards generally accepted in Mexico. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
MFRS vary in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Information relating to the nature and effect of such differences is presented in Note 16 to the above consolidated financial statements.

 

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A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company were being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Mexico City, June 13, 2008

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE, S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(SOUTHEAST AIRPORT GROUP)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2007

(Expressed in thousands of Mexican Pesos in purchasing power as of December 31, 2007)
                 
    2006     2007  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and marketable securities
  Ps. 1,288,353     Ps. 1,925,697  
Trade and other receivables, net (Note 3)
    244,395       279,415  
Recoverable taxes and other current assets
    169,616       328,498  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    1,702,364       2,533,610  
 
               
Improvements to concessioned assets, land, machinery, furniture and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of Ps. 554,668 and Ps. 811,736, respectively (Note 4)
    3,267,744       3,670,223  
Direct commercial operations rights, net of accumulated amortization of Ps.43,018 and Ps.59,400, respectively
    43,457       26,931  
Airport concessions, net of accumulated amortization of Ps.2,066,983 and Ps.2,271,861, respectively (Notes 5 and 6)
    8,242,778       8,037,900  
Rights to use airport facilities, net of accumulated amortization of Ps.710,812 and Ps.767,736, respectively (Notes 5 and 6)
    2,246,711       2,189,975  
Deferred Flat Rate Business Tax — Asset (Note 11)
          217,442  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  Ps. 15,503,054     Ps. 16,676,081  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Trade accounts payable
  Ps. 6,479     Ps. 17,073  
Accrued expenses and other payables (Note 7)
    248,085       299,929  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    254,564       317,002  
 
               
Seniority premiums
    7,793       8,494  
Deferred income tax and employees’ statutory profit Sharing (Note 11)
    937,409       1,138,475  
Deferred Flat Rate Business Tax — Liability (Note 11)
          706,583  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    1,199,766       2,170,554  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
               
 
               
Stockholders’ equity (Note 8):
               
Capital stock
    12,799,204       12,799,204  
Legal reserve
    140,786       167,926  
Reserve for repurchase of stock
    808,964        
Retained earnings
    554,334       1,538,397  
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    14,303,288       14,505,527  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  Ps. 15,503,054     Ps. 16,676,081  
 
           
The sixteen notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements, which were authorized for issuance on April 18, 2008, by the executive that signed completely these consolidated financial statements and its notes.
 
C.P.A. Adolfo Castro Rivas
   
Chief Financial and Strategic Planning Officer
   
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.
   

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE, S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(SOUTHEAST AIRPORT GROUP)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
(Expressed in thousands of Mexican Pesos in purchasing power as of
December 31, 2007, except per share amounts)
                         
    For the years  
    ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
REVENUES:
                       
Aeronautical services
  Ps. 1,577,295     Ps. 1,647,594     Ps. 1,890,950  
Non-aeronautical services
    650,889       675,530       894,941  
 
                 
 
                       
Total revenues
    2,228,184       2,323,124       2,785,891  
 
                 
 
                       
OPERATING EXPENSES:
                       
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization
    602,436       665,275       743,642  
Technical assistance fee
    71,721       73,707       91,945  
Government concession fee
    111,409       116,007       139,294  
General and administrative expenses
    110,907       101,156       104,019  
Depreciation and amortization
    468,653       506,124       540,821  
 
                 
 
                       
 
    1,365,126       1,462,269       1,619,721  
 
                 
 
                       
COMPREHENSIVE FINANCING RESULT:
                       
Interest income, net
    110,699       103,322       106,482  
Exchange (losses) gains, net
    (17,417 )     4,106       1,612  
Loss from monetary position
    (68,724 )     (91,642 )     (92,950 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net comprehensive financing income
    24,558       15,786       15,144  
 
                 
 
                       
Non ordinary items, net of deferred income Ps. 3,904 and Ps.2,557 in 2005 and 2006, respectively (Note 1)
    (9,678 )     (16,242 )     (2,385 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income before taxes
    877,938       860,399       1,178,929  
 
                       
Provisions for (Note 11):
                       
Asset tax
    23,349       44,935       21,899  
Income tax
    246,544       267,497       145,528  
Deferred flat rate business tax
                489,141  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income
  Ps. 608,045     Ps. 547,967     Ps. 522,361  
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings per share (Note 8)
  Ps. 2.03     Ps. 1.83     Ps. 1.74  
 
                 
The sixteen notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements, which were authorized for issuance on April 18, 2008, by the executive that signed completely these consolidated financial statements and its notes.
     
C.P.A. Adolfo Castro Rivas
   
Chief Financial and Strategic Planning Officer
   
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.
   

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE, S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(SOUTHEAST AIRPORT GROUP)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED ON DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
(Expressed in thousands of Mexican Pesos in purchasing power as of December 31, 2007)
                                         
                    Reserve for             Total  
    Capital     Legal     repurchase     Retained     stockholders’  
    stock     reserve     of stock     earnings     equity  
 
                                       
Balance at December 31, 2004
  Ps. 12,799,204     Ps. 76,845     Ps. 178,411     Ps. 697,123     Ps. 13,751,583  
 
                                       
Transfer to legal reserve
            33,860               (33,860 )      
Transfer to reserve for repurchase of stock
                    366,821       (366,821 )      
Dividends paid
                            (207,507 )     (207,507 )
Income tax paid on dividends
                            (88,935 )     (88,935 )
Comprehensive income
                            608,045       608,045  
 
                             
 
                                       
Balance at December 31, 2005
    12,799,204       110,705       545,232       608,045       14,063,186  
Transfer to legal reserve
            30,081               (30,081 )      
Transfer to reserve for repurchase of stock
                    263,732       (263,732 )      
Dividends paid
                            (218,582 )     (218,582 )
Income tax paid on dividends
                            (89,283 )     (89,283 )
Comprehensive income
                            547,967       547,967  
 
                             
 
                                       
Balance at December 31, 2006
    12,799,204       140,786       808,964       554,334       14,303,288  
 
                                       
Transfer to legal reserve
            27,140               (27,140 )      
Transfer to reserve for repurchase of stock
                    194,464       (194,464 )      
Reserve for repurchase of Stock cancellation
                    (1,003,428 )     1,003,428        
Dividends paid
                            (231,249 )     (231,249 )
Income tax paid on dividends
                            (88,873 )     (88,873 )
Comprehensive income
                            522,361       522,361  
 
                             
 
                                       
Balance at December 31, 2007
  Ps. 12,799,204     Ps. 167,926     Ps.     Ps. 1,538,397     Ps. 14,505,527  
 
                             
The sixteen notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements, which were authorized for issuance on April 18, 2008, by the executive that signed completely these consolidated financial statements and its notes.
     
C.P.A. Adolfo Castro Rivas
   
Chief Financial and Strategic Planning Officer
   
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.
   

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE, S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(SOUTHEAST AIRPORT GROUP)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
(Expressed in thousands of Mexican Pesos in purchasing power as of December 31, 2007)
                         
    For the years  
    ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
Operating activities:
                       
 
                       
Net income
  Ps. 608,045     Ps. 547,967     Ps. 522,361  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to resources provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    468,653       506,124       540,821  
Deferred income tax
    230,731       267,497       80,890  
Deferred flat rate business tax
                    489,141  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Trade receivables
    61,061       (68,614 )     (35,020 )
Recoverable taxes and other current assets
    (108,780 )     5,503       (44,258 )
Recoverable asset tax
    (107,773 )     (80,979 )        
Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables
    184,960       (107,094 )     68,691  
 
                 
 
                       
Resources provided by operating activities
    1,336,897       1,070,404       1,622,626  
 
                 
 
                       
Financing activities:
                       
Dividends paid
    (207,507 )     (218,582 )     (231,249 )
Tax on dividends paid
    (88,935 )     (89,283 )     (88,873 )
 
                 
 
                       
Resources used in financing activities
    (296,442 )     (307,865 )     (320,122 )
 
                 
 
                       
Investing activities:
                       
Purchase of improvements to concessioned assets, land, machinery, furniture and equipment
    (682,558 )     (1,129,915 )     (665,160 )
 
                 
 
                       
Resources used in investing activities
    (682,558 )     (1,129,915 )     (665,160 )
 
                 
 
                       
Increase in cash and marketable securities
    357,897       (367,376 )     637,344  
Cash and marketable securities, beginning of period
    1,297,829       1,655,729       1,288,353  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash and marketable securities, end of period
  Ps 1,655,726     Ps. 1,288,353     Ps. 1,925,697  
 
                 
The sixteen notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements, which were authorized for issuance on April 18, 2008, by the executive that signed completely these consolidated financial statements and its notes.
     
C.P.A. Adolfo Castro Rivas
   
Chief Financial and Strategic Planning Officer
   
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.
   

 

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GRUPO AEROPORTUARIO DEL SURESTE, S. A. B. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(SOUTHEAST AIRPORT GROUP)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of Mexican Pesos in purchasing power
as of December 31, 2007, except per share and share amounts)
1. Formation and Description of Business
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (“ASUR”), a Mexican company, was incorporated in April 1998, as a wholly-owned entity of the Mexican government to operate, maintain and develop nine airports in the Southeast region of Mexico. The nine airports are located in the following cities: Cancún, Cozumel, Mérida, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Tapachula and Minatitlán. ASUR and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company”.
In June 1998, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation granted to subsidiaries of ASUR the concessions to operate, maintain and develop the nine airports of the Southeast group for a period of 50 years commencing on November 1, 1998, for Ps.12,710,426 (December 31, 2007 constant pesos), excluding value added tax. The concession period may be extended by the parties under certain circumstances. The acquisition cost of the airport concessions was paid through capitalization of liabilities assumed by the Mexican federal government and subsequently the issuance of capital stock of ASUR.
Notwithstanding the Company’s rights to operate, maintain and develop the nine airports, pursuant to the Mexican General Law of National Assets, all the permanent fixed assets in the airports are owned by the Mexican nation. Upon expiration of the Company’s concessions, these assets, including any improvements made during the term of the concessions, automatically revert to the Mexican nation.
In December 1998 and in March 1999, the Mexican government sold an aggregate 15% equity interest in ASUR to Inversiones y Técnicas Aeroportuarias, S. A. de C. V. (ITA), pursuant to a public bidding process. ITA, an entity owned by Mr. Fernando Chico Pardo and 49% by Copenhaguen Airport, paid the Mexican government an aggregate of Ps.1,165,076 (nominal), excluding interest, in exchange for: (i) 45,000,000 Class I Series BB shares representing 15% of ASUR’s capital stock; (ii) options to purchase newly issued shares representing 2%, 2% and 1% of total shares outstanding at the time of exercise, each determined on a fully diluted basis, from December 18, 2001 to December 18, 2005; and (iii) the right and obligation to enter into several agreements, including a technical assistance agreement, under terms established during the bidding process. As of December 31, 2005 all options were forfeited (see Note 8).

 

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With respect to the ASUR shares not held by ITA, on September 28, 2000, the Mexican government held a public offer for 221,739,130 Series “B” shares representing 73.9% ASUR’s shares. On March 8, 2005, the Mexican government held a public offer for 33,260,870 Series “B” shares representing 11.1% ASUR’s remaining shares it owned. As of December 31, 2006, ASUR’s shareholders are represented by public investors (85%) and ITA (15%).
Series BB shares held by ITA grant ITA certain rights including the right to name two members of the Board of Directors of the Company, and veto rights with respect to certain corporate shares. The technical assistance contract grants ITA certain rights including the right to name and remove the chief executive officer, and half the members of the Company’s Executive Management.
On April 27, 2006, in compliance with the provisions of the Mexican Stock Market Law (Ley del Mercado de Valores) published on December 30, 2006, the Company’s shareholders resolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting to change the name of the Company from Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. to Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. They also amended the Company bylaws to reflect the new composition, organization and functions of the Company’s corporate governance bodies and the new rights of minority shareholders.
On March 29, 2007, ITA approved the conversion of 7.35% of the BB series shares into B series shares.
On June 19, 2007, the tender offers in the United States and Mexico for our Series B shares expired, and as result, Agrupacion Aeroportuaria Internacional, S. A. de C. V. and Agrupacion Aeroportuaria Internacional II, S. A. de C. V. , entities indirectly owned and controlled by Fernando Chico Pardo, acquired 19.91% Series B shares.
In addition, ITA, an entity owned 51% by Mr. Fernando Chico Pardo and 49% by Copenhagen airports A/S, holds Series BB shares representing 7.65% of our capital stock which provide it with special management rights. (see Note 8).
In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused severe damage to large portions of Cancun, Mexico. The storm resulted in extensive flooding in Cancun and Cozumel airports, severe damage in Terminal 1 building and damage (electrical installations, other equipment, etc.) in Terminal 2 building and corporate offices building in Cancun airport.
As a result, as of December 31, 2005, the Company wrote off Terminal 1 building, provided for the estimated restoration costs for Terminal 2 building and corporate offices building in Cancun airport, and incurred other losses, all classified as loss on natural disasters in the results of operations of the year as indicated in the table below. In addition, the Company recorded an asset related to the insurance recovery for the loss recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to the effects of Hurricane Wilma. The balance of account receivable from the insurance company amounted to Ps. 46 millions as of December 2005.

 

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In July 2006, the Company was instructed by the Mexican Government to repair the Terminal 1 building and therefore the Company reversed a portion of the 2005 write-off related to certain assets of Terminal 1 which were once again to be placed in service. In addition, during 2006, the Company recognized the actual restoration costs on the Terminal 2 building and corporate offices and the insurance remaining settlements amounts. As of December 31, 2006, the balance of the account receivable from the insurance Company had been collected.
During August 2007, Hurricane Dean hit the Yucatan Peninsula, and even though Cancun, Cozumel and Merida Airports infrastructure was not damaged, the Company incurred in certain restoration costs that were classified as loss on natural disasters in the results of operations of the year as indicated in the table below.
The components of the non-ordinary items for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:
                         
    2005     2006     2007  
Terminal 1 building write-off (reversal)
  Ps. 59,344     Ps. (50,369 )   Ps.  
Restoration costs
    108,540       62,296       2,385  
Insurance deductible
    3,887              
Other expenses
    7,602              
Other losses for natural disasters in other airports
    1,299       1,579        
Insurance recovery
    (167,885 )     (3,633 )      
Deferred taxes
    (3,108 )     (2,557 )      
 
                 
Net loss on natural disasters
    9,678       7,316       2,385  
 
                       
Restructuring and contract termination fees
          8,926        
 
                 
 
                       
Net non ordinary items
  Ps. 9,678     Ps. 16,242     Ps. 2,385  
 
                 
2. Summary of significant Mexican FRS accounting policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (Mexican FRS) and are expressed in constant Mexican pesos purchasing power as of December 31, 2007.
On January 1, 2007, we adopted Mexican FRS NIF B-3,“Statement of Income” which incorporates, among other things, a new approach to classifying income and expenses as ordinary and non-ordinary, eliminates special and extraordinary items and establishes employees’ profit sharing as an ordinary expense and not as tax. Accordingly, our financial statements for 2006 and 2005 have also been reclassified to conform the current year presentation. Such reclassifications consisted of 1) Ps. 16,242 and Ps. 9,678, respectively, reclassified from extraordinary items to non-ordinary items, and 2) Ps. 3,904 and Ps. 2,557, respectively, reclassified from provision for income taxes and employees’ statutory profit sharing to general and administrative expenses.

 

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A summary of the most significant accounting policies, including the concepts, methods and criteria relative to the recognition of the effects of inflation in the financial information, are summarized as follows:
a) Basis of presentation
The consolidated Subsidiaries of the Company are:
                 
Subsidiary   Ownership interest (direct and indirect)  
    2006     2007  
 
Aeropuerto de Cancún, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Mérida, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Aeropuerto de Minatitlán, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S. A. de C. V.
    99.99 %     99.99 %
 
           
All significant balances and transactions among the consolidated companies have been eliminated. The consolidation was carried out on the basis of audited financial statements of the subsidiaries (See note 15).
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates and assumptions include the estimated fair value of environmental liabilities assumed.
b) Recognition of the effects of inflation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Bulletin B-10, “Recognition of the Effects of Inflation on Financial Information” (“Bulletin B-10”), and determined as follows:
  The consolidated statements of income and changes in stockholders’ equity were restated applying Mexican National Consumer Price Index (“Mexican CPI”) factors from the periods in which the transactions occurred. The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, have been restated for comparability purposes to December 31, 2007 purchasing power, by applying the restatement factors of 1.080 and 1.038, respectively.
 
  The consolidated statements of changes in financial position present, in constant pesos, the resources provided by or used in operating, financing and investing activities.

 

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The methodology for the restatement of the individual financial statement items is as follows:
Restatement of non-monetary assets:
Machinery, furniture and equipment, net are recorded at acquisition cost, restated using Mexican CPI factors from the date the asset was purchased to the date of the financial statements. Depreciation expense is based on the restated carrying value of the assets.
The rights to use the airport facilities, net and the airport concessions, net were recorded based on the allocation of the purchase cost of the airport concessions and the acquisition cost of the rights of Cancun Air, Dicas and Aeropremier to the assets and liabilities acquired (see Notes 2f, 5, and 6) and are restated using Mexican CPI factors. Amortization expense is computed on the restated carrying values of the rights to use the airport facilities and the airport concessions.
Restatement of stockholders’ equity:
The restatement of the Company’s capital stock, contributed capital, legal reserve, reserve for the repurchase of stock and retained earnings is determined by applying Mexican CPI factors from the dates on which capital was contributed and earnings were generated and reflects the amounts necessary to maintain the stockholders’ investment at the purchasing power of the original amounts.
Loss from monetary position:
Loss from monetary position represents the inflationary effect, measured by the Mexican CPI, on the monetary assets and liabilities.
c) Cash and marketable securities
Cash and marketable securities includes cash, temporary investments and marketable securities. As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, cash and marketable securities consisted primarily of money market accounts and short-term Mexican government bonds.
d) Derivatives
Derivatives (including embedded derivatives) are accounted for at fair value at the balance sheet date in accordance with Bulletin C-10 “Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedge Transactions”.
e) Improvements to concessioned assets, land, machinery, furniture and equipment, net
Depreciation of improvements to concessioned assets, machinery, furniture and equipment is based upon the restated carrying value of the assets and is recognized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the concession term and the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives of the Company’s machinery, furniture and equipment are as follows:
         
    Years  
Improvements to concessioned assets
    10-50  
Machinery and equipment
    10  
Office furniture and equipment
    10  
Computer equipment
    3  
Automotive equipment
    4  
Other
  various

 

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When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the restated cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in results of operations.
Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Cost of major replacements and improvements are capitalized.
f) Rights to use airport facilities, environmental liabilities and airport concessions
Rights to use airport facilities and airport concessions include the acquisition of the nine airport concessions and the rights acquired from Cancun Air, Dicas and Aeropremier. Although the Company has, through its concessions, the rights to operate, maintain and develop the nine airports, all the permanent fixed assets in the airports are owned by the Mexican nation. Upon termination of the Company’s concessions, these assets, including any improvements made during the term of the concessions automatically revert to the Mexican nation.
The acquisition costs of the nine airports concessions and the acquisition costs of rights acquired from others entities were allocated to the rights to use the airport facilities and to certain environmental liabilities assumed with the excess acquisition cost recorded as airport concessions. The amounts allocated to the rights to use the airport facilities were based on the depreciated replacement cost of the assets as determined by an independent appraiser. The amounts allocated to the environmental liabilities assumed were based on management’s best estimate of the actual costs to be incurred and reflect the terms of the agreement with the environmental authorities, (see Note 5).
The rights to use the airports facilities are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives of the underlying assets. The amounts allocated to the airports concessions are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the concessions and the rights acquired.
g) Review of the book value of long — lived assets
The Company estimates the recoverable value of the rights to use airport facilities, airport concessions and improvements to concessioned assets to be the estimated discounted future net cash flows from the nine airport concessions in the aggregate as the Company is not permitted to dispose of or cease operating any individual airport. If the carrying value of the assets exceeds the recoverable value an impairment loss is recognized. As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, the recoverable value exceeded the net book value.
The procedures and criterion used by the Company are in line with the provisions of Bulletin C-15, “Impairment in the Value of Long-lived Assets and Their Disposal”.

 

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h) Seniority premiums and employee severance pay
Seniority premiums, to which employees are entitled upon termination of employment after 15 years of service and severance payments, which represents 20 days of salary for each year of services rendered, are recorded as a cost of the years in which the respective services are rendered, based on actuarial studies carried out using the projected unit credit method.
Other severance payments that arise as a result of involuntary termination are recorded in the financial statement at the time the obligation is incurred, which generally would be upon the occurrence of the termination of the employee.
i) Revenue recognition
Revenues are obtained from aeronautical services, which generally relate to the use of airport infrastructure by air carriers and passengers, and from non-aeronautical services.
Aeronautical services revenues consist of a passenger charge for each departing passenger (excluding diplomats, infants, and transfer and transit passengers), a landing charge based on the average between aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight and the zero-fuel weight and hour of arrival, aircraft parking charges based on the time an aircraft is on the ground and hour of arrival, passenger walkway charges for the connection of aircraft to the terminal, based on hour of arrival, and airport security charges for each departing passenger. Aeronautical services revenue is recognized as passengers depart, at the time of landings and as services are provided, as the case may be.
Non-aeronautical services revenues consist primarily of the leasing of space in the airport terminals, access fees received from third parties providing handling, catering and other services at the airports and miscellaneous other revenues.
Rental income is recognized on terminal space which is leased through operating leases. Such leases stipulate either: i) fixed monthly rental fees, or ii) fees based on the greater of a minimum monthly rental fee, a specified percentage of the lessee’s monthly revenues or the number of departing passengers. Access fees and other services revenues are recognized as services are provided. All amounts are calculated and recognized on a monthly basis.
Under the Airport Law and its regulations, the Company’s revenues are classified as Airport Services, Complementary Services or Commercial Services. Airport Services consist primarily of the use of runways, taxiways and aprons for landings and departures, aircraft parking, the use of passenger walkways, security services, hangars, automobile parking facilities as well as the general use of terminal space and other infrastructure by aircraft, passengers and cargo, including the lease of space essential for the operation of airlines and complementary service providers. Complementary Services consist primarily of ramp and handling services, catering, maintenance and repair and related activities that provide support to air carriers. Revenues from access fees charged to third parties providing complementary services are classified as Airport Services. Commercial Services consist of services that are not considered essential to the operation of an airport, such as the lease of space to retailers, restaurants and banks.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, using the classifications established under the Airport Law and its regulations (see below for discussion of revenue regulation):
                         
    Year ended  
    December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
Regulated services:
                       
Airport services
  Ps. 1,661,967     Ps. 1,734,473     Ps. 1,991,745  
 
                 
 
                       
Non-regulated services:
                       
Airport services:
                       
Access fees from non-permanent ground transportation
    8,039       9,022       12,053  
Car parking lots and related access fees
    35,320       39,128       47,557  
Other access fees
    3,298       2,451       4,198  
Commercial services
    496,741       513,140       684,794  
Other services
    22,819       24,910       45,544  
 
                 
 
                       
Total non-regulated services
    566,217       588,651       794,146  
 
                 
 
                       
 
  Ps. 2,228,184     Ps. 2,323,124     Ps. 2,785,891  
 
                 
j) Transactions in foreign currency and exchange rate differences
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Mexican pesos at the exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet dates. Currency exchange fluctuations are included in income for the period and reflected in comprehensive financing cost.
k) Deferred income tax, employees statutory profit sharing deferred flat rate business tax and tax on dividends
Deferred income tax is recorded using the full-liability method of assets and liabilities, which consists of determining deferred income tax by applying the corresponding tax rate to the differences between the book and tax values of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements.
Beginning on October 1, 2007, based on financial and tax projections of each subsidiary which show that, with the exception of Aeropuerto de Cancún, S.A. de C.V. (Cancún Airport), the rest of the subsidiaries will essentially pay IETU in the future, the Company wrote-off net Ps. 150 million, representing the cumulative deferred income taxes of these subsidiaries. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, the Company recognized a deferred IETU tax liability of Ps. 706.6 million and deferred IETU tax asset of Ps. 217.4 million corresponding to timing differences generated in the calculation of the IETU taxable base which are expected to materialize in future periods in the following subsidiaries: Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Mérida, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing is calculated based on nonrecurring temporary differences between the book profit and the profit subject to employees’ statutory profit sharing.

 

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Deferred income tax, deferred flat rate business tax and employees’ statutory profit sharing assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits for which evidence does not indicate that there is a high probability of future taxable income to realize the assets.
Tax on dividends is recorded against retained earnings and any recovered tax on dividends previously paid is also recorded in retained earnings.
l) Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income is represented by the net income plus items required by specific accounting standards to be reflected in stockholders’ equity but which do not constitute capital contributions, reductions or distributions. It is restated on the basis of Mexican CPI factors.
m) Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share were computed by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding (see Note 8). Weighted-average shares outstanding for calculating diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into shares, using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, proceeds received from the assumed exercise of the stock options would be used to repurchase the Company’s shares at the average market price during the period.
The weighted average shares outstanding for calculating both basic and diluted earnings per share was 300 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
n) Concentrations
Trade receivables consist primarily of receivables from major domestic and international airlines. Approximately 6% of trade receivables as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively were receivable from air carriers and other entities controlled by Cintra S. A. de C. V. (“Cintra”) including Aeromexico and Aerolitoral. A majority of Cintra’s capital stock is owned by the Institute for the Protection of Bank Savings, a decentralized entity within the Mexican federal public administration, and by the Mexican government. Effective on December, 2005, Cintra completed the sale of Mexicana to Grupo Posadas, a Mexican large hotel operator. Effective on December, 2007 Cintra completed the sale of Aeromexico and Aerolitoral to Banco Nacional de México, S. A.
Further, approximately 75%, 76% and 76% of revenues during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, were generated from operations at the Cancún International Airport.
As of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Company maintained its cash and marketable securities with a major Mexican brokeragee firm and other Mexican financial institutions. The Company would be adversely affected in the event of non-performance by any of these institutions. Management does not anticipate non-performance.

 

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o) Recently issued accounting standards
During the last quarter of 2007, the Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (CINIF, for its initials in Spanish) issued certain Financial Reporting Standards (Mexican FRS, due to its name in Spanish), which became effective on January 1, 2008, as follows:
Mexican FRS B-2, “Statement of Cash Flows", supersedes Bulletin B-12 “Statement for Changes in the Financial Position” and requires a statement of cash flows as part of a full set of financial statements in place of a statement of changes in financial position. This statement of cash flows classifies cash receipts and payments according to whether they stem from operating, investing, or financing activities and provides a definition of each category. Cash flows from operating activities can be reported by directly showing major classes of operating cash receipts and payments (the direct method), or by reporting the same amount of net cash flow from operating activities indirectly by adjusting net income to reconcile it to net cash flow from operating activities (the indirect method) by removing the effects of (a) all deferrals of past operating cash receipts and accruals of expected future operating cash receipts and payments and (b) all items that are included in net income that do not affect operating cash receipts and payments. Mexican FRS B-2 also requires that a statement of cash flows reports the reporting currency equivalent of foreign currency cash flows, using the current exchange rate at the time of the cash flows; the effect of exchange rate changes on cash held in foreign currencies is reported as a separate item in the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents. Restatement of financial statements for years provided before 2008 is not required by Mexican FRS B-2.
Mexican FRS B-10, Effects of Inflation, replaces the previous Bulletin B-10 “Recognition of the Effect of Inflation in Financial Information” and establishes standards for recognizing the effects of inflation in an entity’s financial statements as measured by changes in a general price index only, eliminating the use of any other valuation method established in the previous Bulletin B-10. Mexican FRS B-10 provides criteria for identifying both inflationary and non-inflationary environments, and provides guidelines to cease or start recognizing the effects of inflation in financial statements when the general price index applicable to a specific entity is up to or above 26%, respectively, in a cumulative three-year period. Upon adoption, Mexican FRS B-10 includes an option for the accounting treatment of the result from holding non-monetary assets recognized by an entity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss under previous guidelines by either recycling this result from stockholders’ equity to income as it is realized, or reclassifying the outstanding balance of such result to retained earnings in the period in which this standard becomes effective. Additionally, restatement of financial statements for earlier periods presented is not required by Mexican FRS B-10. Since the cumulative inflation in Mexico measured by the NCPI in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 was below 26%, the companies in the Group ceased recognizing the effects of inflation in financial statements beginning January 1, 2008.
Mexican FRS B-15, “Translation of Foreign Currencies", replaces the previous Bulletin B-15, "Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation of Financial Statements of Foreign Operations” and introduces the concepts of accounting currency, functional currency and reporting currency. Mexican FRS B-15 sets forth procedures for translating financial statements from the accounting currency of a foreign operation into the applicable functional currency, and from the functional currency of a foreign operation into the required reporting currency. Mexican FRS B-15 also permits that an entity may present its financial statements in a reporting currency other than its functional currency. Restatement of financial statements for years provided before 2008 is not required by Mexican FRS B-15. The provisions of Mexican FRS B-15 did not have a significant effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Mexican FRS D-3, “Benefits to Employees", replaces the previous Mexican FRS Bulletin D-3 “Labor Obligations” and provides standards for recognizing those benefits granted by an entity to its employees, including direct, termination and retirement benefits, as well as other related provisions. Mexican FRS D-3 requires shorter amortization periods for items subject to be amortized, including an option to recognize in income any actuarial gain or loss, and does not require the recognition of a transition asset or liability other than benefits granted in a plan amendment (prior service cost). Mexican FRS D-3 eliminates the recognition in certain instances of an additional liability determined on the actuarial computation of retirement benefits without consideration of salary increases; consequently, a related intangible asset and an eventual stockholders’ equity adjustment derived from the recognition of this additional liability, are no longer required by this new standard. Mexican FRS D-3 also requires the recognition of any termination benefit costs directly in income as a provision, with no deferral of any unrecognized prior service cost or related actuarial gain or loss. Additionally, Mexican FRS D-3 recognizes the employees’ profit sharing required to be paid under certain circumstances in Mexico, as a direct benefit to Employees. The provisions of Mexican FRS D-3 did not have a significant effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
Mexican FRS D-4, “Income Taxes", replaces the previous Mexican GAAP Bulletin D-4, “Accounting for income tax, asset tax and employees’ profit sharing", and provides additional guidance for valuation, presentation and disclosure of both current and deferred income taxes accrued for a period. Mexican FRS D-4 eliminates from its scope the accounting for employees’ profit sharing, since this line item is deemed an ordinary expense associated with benefits to employees, and therefore, under the scope of Mexican FRS D-3. Mexican FRS D-4 also recognizes the Mexican asset tax paid as a tax credit to the extent of its expected recovery. In addition, Mexican FRS D-4 requires the reclassification to retained earnings of any outstanding cumulative effect of deferred income taxes recognized in stockholders’ equity, in the period in which this standard becomes effective. The provisions of Mexican FRS D-4 did not have a significant effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
Mexican FRS 8, “Effects of the Flat Rate Business Tax". This Interpretation became effective in October 2007, and requires a company to evaluate the effects of the new Flat Rate Business Tax that became effective in Mexico beginning in January 2008, on its deferred income tax asset or liability position for the fourth quarter of 2007, based on projected results of operations for periods beginning in 2008. On October 1, 2007, based on financial and tax projections of each subsidiary which show that, with the exception of Aeropuerto de Cancún, S.A. de C.V., the rest of the subsidiaries will essentially pay IETU in the future, the Company wrote-off net Ps. 150 million, representing the cumulative deferred income taxes of these subsidiaries. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, the Company recognized a deferred IETU tax liability of Ps. 706.6 million and deferred IETU tax asset of Ps. 217.4 million corresponding to timing differences generated in the calculation of the IETU taxable base which are expected to materialize in future periods in the following subsidiaries: Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Mérida, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V.

 

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3. Trade receivables, net
As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, trade receivables, net consist of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2007  
 
               
Trade receivables
  Ps. 244,695     Ps. 280,350  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
    (300 )     (935 )
 
           
 
               
Net
  Ps. 244,395     Ps. 279,415  
 
           
The following table presents the roll forward of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007:
                         
    December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
 
                       
Balance at the beginning of the period
  Ps. (6,400 )   Ps. (10,522 )   Ps. (300 )
Increases, applications and cancellations, net
    (4,328 )     9,530       (646 )
Effects of inflation
    206       692       11  
 
                 
 
                       
Balance at the end of the period
  Ps. (10,522 )   Ps. (300 )   Ps. (935 )
 
                 
4. Improvements to concessioned assets, land, machinery, furniture and equipment
As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, improvements to concessioned assets, land, machinery, furniture and equipment, net consist of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2007  
 
Machinery and equipment
  Ps. 85,203     Ps. 100,006  
Office furniture and equipment
    98,227       121,286  
Automotive equipment
    165,686       173,464  
Improvements to concessioned assets (a)
    2,521,554       3,706,024  
Others
    4,068       4,729  
 
           
 
    2,874,738       4,105,509  
 
               
Less: accumulated depreciation
    (554,668 )     (811,736 )
 
           
 
               
Total
    2,320,070       3,293,773  
 
               
Land
    117,800       117,800  
Construction in progress (b)
    751,117       221,626  
Advances to contractors
    78,757       37,024  
 
           
Net
  Ps. 3,267,744     Ps. 3,670,223  
 
           

 

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Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was Ps.130,037, Ps.162,339 and Ps.259,940, respectively.
(a)   Improvements to concessioned assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, were comprised of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2007  
 
               
Buildings
  Ps. 877,466     Ps. 1,503,367  
Air side
    729,662       884,848  
Land side
    196,928       292,365  
Technical installations
    231,718       281,007  
Machinery and equipment
    64,817       218,244  
Security equipment
    228,434       249,018  
IT equipment
    168,861       245,316  
Others
    23,668       31,859  
 
           
 
               
Total
  Ps. 2,521,554     Ps. 3,706,024  
 
           
(b) As of December 31, 2007, the construction in progress includes Ps. 104,490 related to the track 2, project being built at the Cancun Airport. As of December 31, 2006 the construction in progress includes $ 573,263, related to Terminal 3 building at Cancun Airport which started operations in May 17, 2007.
5. Airport concessions
As stated in Note 1, in June 1998, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation granted to the Company the concessions to operate, maintain and develop nine airports in the Southeast region of Mexico for Ps.12,710,426 (December 31, 2007 constant pesos). The total cost of the airport concessions, at the acquisition date, were allocated to the rights to use the airport facilities based on the assets’ depreciated replacement cost, as determined by an independent appraiser, and to certain environmental liabilities assumed based on management’s best estimate of the actual costs to be incurred, with the excess acquisition cost allocated to the airport concessions as follows:
                 
            Remaining  
            estimated  
            useful life  
            (years)  
 
               
Acquisition cost allocated to:
  Ps. 12,710,426.          
 
             
Rights to use airport facilities:
               
Runways, taxiways, and aprons
  Ps. 1,582,491       39-40  
Buildings
    511,858       15-41  
Other infrastructure
    132,067       22  
Land
    684,725       41  
 
             
 
               
 
    2,911,141          
 
             
 
               
Environmental liabilities
    (15,529 )        
Airport concessions
    9,814,814       41  
 
           
 
               
Total
  Ps. 12,710,426          
 
             

 

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Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, was Ps. 274,587, Ps. 274,587 and Ps.252,759, respectively.
Each of the Company’s airport concessions contain the following basic terms and conditions:
  The concession holder should undertake the construction, improvement or maintenance of the facilities in accordance with its Master Development Plan and is required to update the plan every five years (see Note 14).
 
  The concession holder may only use the airport facilities for the purposes specified in the concession and must provide services in accordance with all applicable law and regulations, and is subject to statutory oversight by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation .
 
  The concession holder must pay a concession fee (currently 5% of each concession holder’s gross annual revenues) from the use of public domain assets pursuant to the terms of its concessions as required by applicable law.
 
  Fuel services and supply are to be provided by the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency.
 
  The concession holder must grant access to and the use of specific areas of the airport to government agencies to perform their activities inside the airports.
 
  The concession may be terminated for non-performance if the concession holder fails to comply with certain of the obligations imposed by the concession as established in Article 27 or for the reasons specified in Article 26 of the Airport Law.
 
  The terms and conditions of the regulations governing the operations of the Company may be modified by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
6. Other rights acquired
Effective June 30, 1999, the Company acquired the rights of Cancun Air and Dicas to provide certain services at Cancún International Airport, the rights of Aeropremier to provide certain services at Mérida International Airport and certain related machinery, furniture and equipment for cash and promissory notes of approximately US$39.6 million.
The Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency also granted Dicas the right to construct, maintain and collect the revenues from the commercial activities and passenger walkway charges generated by the satellite wing of the main terminal building at the Cancun International Airport through 2010.
In December 1991, the Mexican Airport and Auxiliary Services Agency granted Aeropremier the right to construct and operate a general aviation terminal, a first class lounge, a tourism office and other commercial areas at Merida International Airport through 2010.

 

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Effective with the acquisition of the rights of Cancun Air, Dicas and Aeropremier, the Company assumed the rights and obligations of Cancun Air, Dicas and Aeropremier under their agreements with third parties.
The acquisition cost of the rights has been allocated to the rights to use the underlying facilities based on the assets’ depreciated replacement cost, as determined by an independent appraiser, with the excess allocated to airport concessions as follows:
                 
            Remaining estimated  
            useful lives  
    2007     (years)  
 
               
Acquisition cost allocated to:
  Ps. 556,145          
 
             
Rights to use:
               
Buildings
  Ps. 59,694       19-42  
Other infrastructure
    2,816       4-09  
 
             
 
    62,510          
 
               
Airport concessions
    493,635       0.5-2  
 
           
 
               
Total
  Ps. 556,145          
 
             
Amortization of the rights to use the underlying facilities is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives of the assets. Amortization of amounts allocated to airport concessions is recorded over the term of the rights acquired. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was Ps. 44,565, Ps. 53,304 and Ps.9,043, respectively. The amortization of the concession, which represents approximately 80% of the total airport concessions original value was completed in December 2006.
Through an agreement in March 2004, the Company terminated some lease agreements early at the Aeropuerto de Cancun, S. A. de C. V., with one of its operators of restaurants and convenience stores. The price of this transaction amounted to USD7 million dollars, and is being amortized by using the straight-line method over the remaining lives of the original lease agreements signed by the parties.
In July 2006, ASUR signed an agreement with a third party by which the Company transferred the operation of the restaurant and snack bar in the Cancun Airport. The total amount of the transaction is USD2.55 million, that is been be paid in 9 semi-annual installments with an interest rate of 15%.
During 2006, the Company invested in various feasibility studies in connection with the bidding for the concession to construct and operate an alternative airport in southeast area of Riviera Maya. As of December 31, 2006, the Company has capitalized expenses for USD1 million.

 

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7. Accrued expenses and other payables
As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, this account consists of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2007  
 
               
Taxes payable
  Ps. 32,970     Ps. 96,880  
Concession fees
    27,044       46,337  
Due To Shareholder — ITA
    44,315       63,126  
Due to Supplier — Provetecnia, S.A. de C.V.
    10,537        
Provision for restoration costs, net
    17,933        
Other accruals
    115,286       93,586  
 
           
 
               
Total
  Ps. 248,085     Ps. 299,929  
 
           
8. Stockholders’ equity
At December 31, 2006 and 2007, the minimum fixed capital with no withdrawal rights is Ps.7,767,276 (nominal figure), represented by 300,000,000 (series “B” 277,050,000 and series “BB” 22,950,000) ordinary nominative Class I shares with no par value, fully subscribed and paid in. The variable portion of the capital stock is represented by ordinary nominative Class II shares. The shares are classifies in series B and BB as follow:
As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, capital stock was restated as follows:
                         
    Nominal             Restated  
    value     Restatement     value  
Capital stock:
                       
Fixed
  Ps. 7,767,276     Ps. 5,031,928     Ps. 12,799,204  
 
                 
ASUR and each of its Subsidiaries are legally required to allocate at least 5% of their unconsolidated annual net income to a legal equity reserve fund. This allocation must be continued until the equity reserve is equal to 20% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the relevant Company. Mexican Corporations may pay dividends only out of earnings after such allocation to the reserve fund. As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, the Company transferred Ps.30,081 and Ps. 27,140, respectively from retained earnings to legal reserve.
At the April 27, 2006 and 2007, general stockholders’ meetings, the Shareholders agreed to establish a reserve for the repurchase of shares amounting to Ps. 263,732 (Ps.246,860 nominal) and Ps. 194,464 (Ps.189,209 nominal), respectively, against retained earnings. In addition, a modification to the treatment of the reserve for the repurchase share was approved on April 27, 2007, accordingly the reserve was cancelled and transferred to retained earnings.

 

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Stock Options
Inversiones y Técnicas Aeroportuarias, S. A. de C. V., did not exercise the options, nor did it transfer or assign its options to any of its stockholders during the stock option exercise periods ended December 18, 2003, 2004 and 2005 (see Note 1). As of December 31, 2005 all options were forfeited.
Dividends
At the April 28, 2005 general stockholders’ meeting, the Company’s stockholders agreed to pay net dividends after income tax of Ps.207,507 (Ps. 186,000 nominal), or Ps.0.62 (nominal) per share, thus giving rise to an income tax on dividends of Ps. 88,935 (Ps. 79,714 nominal), since they were not from the After-tax Earnings Account (see note 11).
At the April 27, 2006 general stockholders’ meeting, the Company’s stockholders agreed to pay net dividends after income tax of Ps.218,582 (Ps.204,600 nominal), or Ps. 0.68 (nominal) per share, thus giving rise to an income tax on dividends of Ps.89,283 (Ps. 83,569 nominal), since they were not from the After-tax Earnings Account (see note 11).
At the April 27, 2007 general stockholders’ meeting, the Company’s stockholders agreed to pay net dividends after income tax of Ps. 231,249 (Ps.225,000 nominal), or Ps.0.75 (nominal) per share, thus giving rise to an income tax on dividends of Ps. 88,873 (Ps.87,500 nominal), since they were not from the After-tax Earnings Account (see note 11).
Dividend will be tax free if paid out of the CUFIN (Net Taxable Income Account). Dividends paid in excess of the CUFIN balance will be subject to a tax equivalent to 38.89% . Tax due will be payable by the Company and it may be credited against Income Tax of the year or the Income Tax of the two immediately following fiscal years. Dividends paid will not be subject to any withholding tax.
In case of a capital reduction, any excess of stockholders’ equity over paid-in capital accounts balances will be given the same tax treatment as a dividend, in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Income Tax Law.
Substantially all consolidated profits of the Company were generated by its subsidiaries. Retained earnings can be distributed to the Stockholders of ASUR to the extent that its subsidiaries have distributed profits to ASUR.
Earnings per share
Earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, are presented as follows:
                         
    2005     2006     2007  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations
  Ps. 2.96     Ps. 2.92     Ps. 3.94  
Non ordinary items
  Ps. (0.03 )   Ps. (0.05 )   Ps. (0.01 )
 
                 
Net income
  Ps. 2.03     Ps. 1.83     Ps. 1.74  
 
                 

 

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9. Rentals under operating leases
The Company leases commercial space inside and outside the terminals to third parties under operating leases. The following is a schedule by years of minimum future rentals on noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2007 including minimum secured commercial lease agreements per passenger:
         
Period ending December 31:
       
 
       
2008
  Ps. 450,364  
2009
    479,800  
2010
    442,557  
2011
    411,724  
2012
    434,160  
Thereafter
    2,458,579  
 
     
 
       
Total
  Ps. 4,677,184  
 
     
10. Foreign currency balances and transactions
The foreign currency position of monetary items at December 31, 2006 and 2007, were as shown in the next page:
                         
    Foreign currency     Period end        
    amounts     exchange rate     Mexican pesos  
    (thousands)             (thousands)  
December 31, 2006
                       
Assets:
                       
Cash and marketable securities
  US$ 9,441     Ps. 10.8116     Ps. 102,074  
Prepaids
    1,445       10.8116       15,622  
Deposits
    41       10.8116       438  
Clients
    2,597       10.8116       28,086  
 
                   
Liabilities:
                       
Accrued expenses and other payables
  US$ 3,459       10.8116       37,393  
Deposits
    1,018       10.8116       11,007  
 
                   
                         
    Foreign currency     Period end        
    amounts     exchange rate     Mexican pesos  
    (thousands)             (thousands)  
December 31, 2007
                       
Assets:
                       
Cash and marketable securities
  US$ 16,403     Ps. 10. 9157     Ps. 179,050  
Prepaids
    1,558       10. 9157       17,007  
Deposits
    41       10. 9157       448  
Clients
    4,276       10. 9157       46,676  
 
                   
Liabilities:
                       
Accrued expenses and other payables
  US$ 1,623       10.9157       17,716  
Deposits
    960       10.9157       10,481  
 
                   

 

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The principal foreign currency transactions during the year ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, were as follows:
                         
    Foreign currency     Average        
    amounts     exchange rate     Mexican pesos  
    (thousands)             (thousands)  
Year ended December 31, 2005
                       
Income statement:
                       
Technical assistance fees and related costs
  US$ 2,311     Ps. 10.84     Ps. 25,051  
Professional services expenses
    1,916       12.58       24,105  
Other
    38       11.02       419  
 
                   
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2006
                       
Income statement:
                       
Technical assistance fees and related costs
  US$ 2,391     Ps. 10.98     Ps. 26,260  
Professional services expenses
    1,304       10.86       14,161  
Other
    876       10.90       9,548  
 
                   
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2007
                       
Income statement:
                       
Technical assistance fees and related costs
  US$ 2,451     Ps. 10.92     Ps. 26,777  
Professional services expenses
    2,198       10.94       24,038  
Other
    4,250       10.84       46,083  
 
                   
The prevailing exchange rate between the Mexican peso and the US dollar at December 31, 2006 and 2007 was Ps.10.8116 and Ps. 10.9157, per US dollar, respectively. The exchange rate was Ps. 10.4828 per US dollar on April 18, 2008.
11. Income tax, asset tax and flat rate business tax (IETU)
The Company does not currently prepare a consolidated tax return.
a) Income Tax:
In 2005, 2006 and 2007 the company determined combined tax loss of Ps. 283,295, Ps. 411,494 and Ps. 89,457, respectively in 2007 income tax of Ps. 257,070 and Ps. 262,673, respectively in Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V. and Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (individual) and last the holding Company amortized loss tax by $ 31,823.
Beginning on October 1, 2007, based on financial and tax projections of each subsidiary which show that, with the exception of Aeropuerto de Cancún, S.A. de C.V. (Cancún Airport), the rest of the subsidiaries will essentially pay IETU in the future, the Company wrote-off net Ps. 150 million, representing the cumulative deferred income taxes of these subsidiaries. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, the Company recognized a deferred IETU tax liability of Ps. 706.6 million and deferred IETU tax asset of Ps. 217.4 million corresponding to timing differences generated in the calculation of the IETU taxable base which are expected to materialize in future periods in the following subsidiaries: Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Mérida, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S. A. de C. V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V..

 

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Taxable income differs from the net income due to timing and permanent differences arising basically from the different basis for the recognition of the effects of inflation and for the effects of the non-deductible expenses. See section c) below.
On December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 the income tax provision was composed as follows:
                         
    For the years  
    ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
 
Current Income tax
  Ps.     Ps.     Ps. 64,638  
Deferred Income tax
    243,436       264,940       230,931  
Cancellation of income tax from prior periods
                (150,041 )
Income tax-deferred accounted for in non ordinary items
    3,108       2,557          
 
                 
 
                       
Provision for income tax
  Ps. 246,544     Ps. 267,497     Ps. 145,528  
 
                 
The reconciliation between the statutory and effective tax rates is shown below:
                         
    For the years  
    ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
 
Income before statutory income tax
  Ps. 877,938     Ps. 860,399     Ps. 1,178,929  
 
                       
Statutory income tax rate
    30 %     29 %     28 %
 
                 
 
                       
Income tax to statutory rate
    263,381       249,516       330,100  
 
                       
Nondeductible expenses and other permanent differences
    (15,091 )     (5,274 )     (41,221 )
Nontaxable income
          (4,367 )     (8,567 )
Net difference between the gain or loss on net monetary position and the inflationary component determined for tax purposes
    15,813       26,766       33,698  
Valuation allowance
          9,460       (18,441 )
Cancelation of deferred income tax
                    (150,041 )
Change in tax rate
    (17,559 )     (8,604 )        
 
                 
 
                       
Provision for income tax
  Ps. 246,544     Ps. 267,497     Ps. 145,528  
 
                 
 
                       
Effective tax rate
    26 %     31 %     12 %
 
                 

 

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The tax and employee’s statutory profit sharing effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant deferred tax and employee’s statutory profit sharing assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, are as follows:
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2007  
Deferred income tax
               
Deferred asset tax:
               
Tax loss carryforwards
  Ps. 736,007     Ps. 756,050  
Other
    33,031       27,418  
Cancellation of deferred income tax from prior periods
          150,041  
Valuation allowance
    (87,662 )     (58,211 )
 
           
 
    681,376       875,298  
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Airport concessions, rights to use airport facilities and machinery furniture
and equipment
    (2,169,753 )     (2,461,726 )
Other
    (5,197 )     (6,465 )
 
           
 
               
 
    (2,174,950 )     (2,468,191 )
 
           
 
               
Net deferred tax liabilities before recoverable asset tax
    (1,493,574 )     (1,592,893 )
 
Recoverable asset tax, net of valuation allowance of Ps. 233,975 and Ps. 114,624, respectively
    595,072       491,914  
 
           
 
Net deferred tax liabilities
  Ps. (898,502 )   Ps. (1,100,979 )
 
           
 
               
Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing:
               
Net deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing liabilities recognized in respect of all the non recurring temporary differences generated in the year ended December 31, 2000, between the tax and the book basis
  Ps. (38,907 )   Ps. (37,496 )
 
           
 
               
Net deferred income tax and employees’ statutory profit sharing liabilities
  Ps. (937,409 )   Ps. (1,138,475 )
 
           
Based on the weight of available evidence as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, valuation allowances were recognized for the amount of the net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, for which evidence does not indicate that there is a high probability of future taxable income to realize the assets.

 

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b) Asset Tax:
The asset tax is calculated as 1.25% (1.8% in 2006) on the average tax value of virtually all of the Company’s assets (including the airport concessions). The average tax value of each asset is calculated differently depending on its classification under the tax law. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Company incurred Ps.146,589, Ps.125,914 and Ps.81,887, respectively in asset tax of which Ps.39,162, Ps. 44,935 and Ps.21,899, respectively were directly charged to income for the year, since there was no certainty of the recoverability in the future. According to the Flat Rate Business Tax Law (LIETU) effective as of January 1st, 2008, the tax balance may be recovered through rebates over the following ten years up to 10% of the total asset tax paid out and pending recovery, provided that this sum does not exceed the difference with the income tax paid during the period and the asset tax paid during the three previous years, whichever is the lower sum, when the income tax incurred exceeds asset tax in any of those years and may be restated by applying any of the factors that arise from the National Consumer Price Index (INPC).
c) Flat rate business tax IETU Tax (Impuesto Empresarial a Tasa Única, by its Spanish acronym):
On October 1, 2007, The Mexican government enacted the new Flat Rate Business Tax (“Impuesto Empresarial a Tasa Unica” or “IETU”). This law became effective as of January 1, 2008. The law introduces a flat rate, which replaces Mexico’s asset tax and is applied along with Mexico’s regular income tax. Mexican companies will be required to pay the greater of the IETU or the income tax. IETU is calculated by applying a tax rate of 16.5% in 2008, 17.0% in 2009 and 17.5% thereafter. See above.
At December 31, 2007, the principal timing differences on which deferred IETU Tax was recognized are as shown below:
         
    2007  
Deferred IETU tax liability:
       
Airport concessions, rights to use airport facilities and machinery furniture and equipment
  $ 4,051,076  
 
       
Others
    (13,454 )
 
     
 
       
 
    4,037,621  
IETU tax applicable rate
    17.5 %
 
     
 
       
Deferred IETU tax liability
  $ 706,583  
 
     
 
       
Tax credit by:
       
Fixed assets, acquired from 1998 to August 31, 2007
  $ 217,442  
 
     
 
       
Deferred IETU tax in the period
  $ 489,141  
 
     

 

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12. Technical assistance agreement
In connection with the sale of the Series “BB” shares to Inversiones y Técnicas Aeroportuarias, S. A. de C. V. (“ITA”), ASUR entered into a technical assistance agreement with ITA in which ITA and its Stockholders agreed to provide management and consulting services and transfer industry expertise and technology to ASUR in exchange for a technical assistance fee. The agreement has an initial fifteen-years term and is automatically renewed for successive five-years terms, unless one party provides the other a notice of termination within a specified period prior to a scheduled expiration date. The Company may only exercise its termination right pursuant to a Stockholder’s resolution. ITA, began providing assistance under the agreement on April 19, 1999.
Under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay an annual fee equal to the greater of a fixed fee or 5% of the Company’s earnings prior to deducting the technical assistance fee and before comprehensive financing cost, income taxes and depreciation and amortization, determined in accordance with MFRS. For the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 the fixed fee is equal to US$2 million. Each year the fixed fee will be increased by the rate of inflation in the US. ASUR must also pay the value-added tax on the payment amount.
For the years ended on December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, technical assistance expenses were
Ps.71,721, Ps.73,707 and Ps.91,945, respectively.
ITA is also entitled to reimbursement for the out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in its provision of services under the agreement.
ITA’s Series “BB” shares were placed in a trust to, among other things; ensure performance under the technical assistance agreement.
13. Related party transactions
On March 8, 2005, the Mexican government sold its remaining 11.1% equity interest in ASUR pursuant to a public offering, and ceased to be related party.
The Company recorded revenues from several Mexican federal and state government agencies. Revenues from related parties were Ps.1,333 by the period from January to February 2005.
During the period from January to February 2005, the Company recorded expenses of Ps.10,826, for electricity, waste disposal, water and other services obtained from entities or agencies of the Mexican federal government.

 

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See notes 2(n), 8 and 12 for disclosures concerning certain other transactions with related parties.
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the accounts pending payment with Related Parties are as follows:
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
 
Accounts receivable:
               
Compañía Méxicana de Aviación, S. A. de C. V. (Key management personnel )
  Ps. 52,350     Ps. 50,591  
 
           
 
               
Accounts payable:
               
Inversiones y Técnicas Aeroportuarias, S. A. de C. V. (Shareholder )
  Ps. (63,120 )   Ps. (44,316 )
Promecap, S. C. (Key management personnel )
    (825 )        
Lava Tap de Chiapas, S. A. de C. V. (Key management personnel )
    (248 )     (184 )
Telefonos de México, S. A. de C. V. (Key management personnel )
    (48 )     (224 )
Mexicana de Aviación S. A. de C. V. (Key management personnel )
    (47 )     (150 )
Grupo Posadas, S. A. de C. V. (Key management personnel)
    (44 )     (9 )
Gafapa, S. A. de C. V. (Key management personnel)
            (377 )
Copenhaguen Airport A/S (Shareholder)
            (1,047 )
 
           
 
               
 
    (64,332 )     (46,307 )
 
           
 
               
Net
  Ps. (11,982 )   Ps. 4,284  
 
           
During the years ending December 31, 2007 and 2006, the following transaction with Related Parties were carried out.
                 
    2007     2006  
 
               
Revenues from airport services
  Ps. 198,787     Ps. 214,316  
Technical assistance
    (91,945 )     (73,707 )
Administrative services
    (5,782 )     (4,435 )
Leases
    (2,457 )     (2,480 )
Telephone services and network connections
    (5,737 )     (3,395 )
Cleaning services
    (5,263 )     (5,338 )
Others
    (3,003 )     (1,911 )
 
           

 

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During the years ending December, 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company provided the following benefits to key management personnel, the Board of Directors and the different Committees in the Company:
                 
    2007     2006  
 
Compensation to key personnel
  Ps. 16,500     Ps. 17,766  
Compensation to Board of Directors and Committees
    5,052       5,379  
 
           
14. Commitments and contingencies
Commitments:
In 2005, the Company entered into a new 60 month operating lease for its corporate offices with monthly payments of US$ 17,832.
Rental expense was approximately Ps. 4,669, Ps. 2,480 and Ps. 2,457 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.
On December 30, 2003, the Company received the Ministry of Communications and Transportation approval for its Master Development Plan (“MDP”) for each of the nine airports for the period from 2004 through 2008. Based on the MDPs presented, the Company has agreed to make total improvements of Ps. 3,392,660 from 2004 through 2008, the commitments for the next year as follows:
         
Period   Amount (1)  
 
2008
  Ps. 569,521  
 
     
     
(1)   Expressed in thousands of pesos in purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 applying Mexican National Construction Price Index factors according with the MDP’s terms.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has complied with the investment commitments.
Contingencies:
a)   The operations of the Company are subject to Mexican federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Under these laws, regulations have been issued concerning water and air pollution, environmental impact studies, noise control and hazardous wastes. The Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fishing can bring administrative, civil and criminal proceedings against Companies that violate environmental laws and has the power to close non-complying facilities.
 
b)   At present, there are two labor-law claims against the Company. The Company is in the judicial process. Moreover, no ruling has been handed down at the date of this report.

 

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c)   The Huatulco municipal government has instigated legal proceedings against the Company to claim payment of the property tax corresponding to the land where the airport is located. The Company believes that there is no legal ground for the proceedings, as was the case in the municipality of Benito Juárez, where Cancún Airport is located and where a favorable ruling for the Company was obtained concerning the payment of the tax in question (although the municipality has since taken legal action to request the revocation of this ruling).
Management does not believe that any liabilities relating to these claims are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
15. Segment information
The Company evaluates and assesses its performance on an airport-by-airport basis prior to the allocation of employee and other costs from Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. (“Servicios”), the Company’s wholly-owned Subsidiary which employs certain of the Company’s employees. The performance of Servicios is evaluated and assessed separately by management. All of the airports provide substantially the same services to their customers. Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments including Cancún International Airport (“Cancun”), Mérida International Airport (“Merida”), Villahermosa Airport (“Villahermosa”) and Servicios is shown in the following table. The financial information of the remaining six airports and that of the parent holding company (including ASUR’s investment in its Subsidiaries) have been aggregated and included as “Other”. The elimination of ASUR’s investment in its Subsidiaries is included in the consolidation adjustments column.
                                                         
Year ended                                                   Consolidation  
December 31, 2005   Cancun     Villahermosa     Mérida     Servicios     Other     Adjustments   Total  
 
                                                       
Total revenues
  Ps. 1,669,341     Ps. 95,655     Ps 142,565     Ps. 193,628     Ps. 339,999       (Ps.213,004 )   Ps. 2,228,184  
Operating income (loss)
    809,512       27,965       20,226       (2,590 )     220,949       (213,004 )     863,058  
Total assets
    10,509,571       794,595       1,130,047       32,388       17,247,234       (14,530,309 )     15,183,526  
Capital expenditures
    491,566       70,771       25,564       5,290       89,367               682,558  
Depreciation and amortization
    296,150       24,026       40,760       2,369       105,348               468,653  
 
                                         
                                                         
Year ended                                                   Consolidation  
December 31, 2006   Cancun     Villahermosa     Mérida     Servicios     Other     Adjustments     Total  
 
                                                       
Total revenues
  Ps. 1,757,128     Ps. 100,655     Ps. 141,724     Ps 196,367     Ps. 345,688       (Ps.218,438 )   Ps. 2,323,124  
Operating income (loss)
    840,902       17,046       14,740       1,827       (13,660 )             860,855  
Total assets
    10,900,449       800,224       1,127,506       31,126       17,446,455       (14,802,706 )     15,503,054  
Capital expenditures
    957,590       32,090       43,174       1,841       95,220       0       1,129,915  
Depreciation and amortization
    323,673       29,062       39,027       2,417       111,945       0       506,124  
 
                                         
                                                         
Year ended                                                   Consolidation  
December 31, 2007   Cancun     Villahermosa     Mérida     Servicios     Other     Adjustments     Total  
 
                                                       
Total revenues
  Ps. 2,108,081     Ps. 130,984     Ps. 172,100     Ps. 206,271     Ps. 1,003,494       (Ps.835,039 )   Ps. 2,785,891  
Operating income (loss)
    667,332       42,657       22,795       3,319       430,067               1,166,170  
Total assets
    11,303,907       898,475       1,251,028       22,383       17,944,140       (14,743,853 )     16,676,081  
Capital expenditures
    544,066       5,679       45,745       1,966       67,704               665,160  
Depreciation and amortization
    350,138       29,279       41,000       2,208       118,196               540,821  
 
                                         

 

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The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in note 2.
During 2007, the Company and its Subsidiaries entered into an intercompany agreement that enables the Company to recognize results by considering its Subsidiaries as one economic unit, and allows the Company to make corporate charges and credits to and from its Subsidiaries for the purpose of establishing sufficient cash flow at each Subsidiary to support such Subsidiary’s respective obligations. The implementation of this strategy affects operating income results reported by individual airports but does not affect the consolidated results.
16. Differences between Mexican Financial Reporting Standards and US GAAP
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (“Mexican FRS”), which differ in certain significant respects from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the effects of inflation as provided for under Bulletin B-10 and its amendments (see note 2). The reconciliation does not include the reversal of adjustments to the consolidated financial statements for the effects of inflation required under Mexican FRS because the application of Bulletin B-10 represents a comprehensive measure of the effects of price level changes in the inflationary Mexican economy and, as such, is considered a more meaningful presentation than historical cost-based financial reporting for both Mexican and US accounting purposes.
The principal differences between Mexican FRS and US GAAP and the effect on the Company’s net income and stockholders’ equity are presented below with an explanation of the adjustments:
                         
    For the year ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
Reconciliation of net income:
                       
Net income as reported under Mexican FRS
  Ps. 608,045     Ps. 547,967     Ps. 522,361  
 
                 
 
US GAAP adjustments:
                       
(A) Amortization of airport concessions
    196,336       196,336       196,336  
(A) Amortization of rights to use airport facilities
    17,546       15,880       10,594  
(B) Amortization of Terminal 1 building write-off reversal
          (50,162 )     109  
(C) Contract termination fee on leasehold agreement
    16,466       15,893       16,526  
(D) Concession fee on lease hold agreement, net of inflation effects
          (4,014 )     (14,531 )
(E) Tax on dividends, net
    (88,935 )     (89,283 )     (88,873 )
(F) Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing, net of inflation effects
    (260,273 )     (153,754 )     (120,593 )
(G) Deferred income taxes, net of inflation effects
    (1,247 )     (47,266 )     (662,816 )
(H) Deferred flat rate business tax, net of inflation effects
                398,161  
 
                 
 
                       
Total US GAAP adjustments
    (120,107 )     (116,370 )     (265,087 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net income under US GAAP
  Ps. 487,938     Ps. 431,597     Ps. 257,274  
 
                 
 
                       
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  Ps. 1.63     Ps. 1.44     Ps. 0.86  
 
                 

 

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    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007  
Reconciliation of stockholders’ equity:
               
Total stockholders’ equity reported under Mexican FRS
  Ps. 14,303,288     Ps. 14,505,527  
 
           
 
US GAAP adjustments:
               
(A) Airport concessions
    (8,211,864 )     (8,015,528 )
(A) Rights to use airport facilities
    (479,190 )     (468,596 )
(B) Terminal 1 write-off reversal
    (50,162 )     (50,053 )
(C) Contract termination fee on leasehold agreement
    (43,457 )     (26,931 )
(D) Concession fee on lease hold agreement
    (4,014 )     (18,545 )
(F) Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing
    137,908       17,315  
(G) Deferred income taxes
    2,355,114       1,692,298  
(H) Deferred flat rate business tax
          398,161  
 
           
 
               
Total US GAAP adjustments
    (6,295,665 )     (6,471,879 )
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity under US GAAP
  Ps. 8,007,623     Ps. 8,033,648  
 
           
A summary of the Company’s statement of changes in stockholders’ equity with balances determined under US GAAP are as follows:
         
Balance at December 31, 2005
  Ps. 7,794,608  
Net income
    431,597  
Dividends declared
    (218,582 )
 
     
 
       
Balance at December 31, 2006
    8,007,623  
Net income
    257,274  
Dividends declared
    (231,249 )
 
     
 
       
Balance at December 31, 2007
  Ps. 8,033,648  
 
     

 

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The following tables present the condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of income of the Company, including all US GAAP adjustments, as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007  
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  Ps. 859,857     Ps. 1,870,675  
Other current assets
    842,507       662,934  
Current deferred income tax asset
    24,757       5,533  
Current deferred IETU asset
          3,502  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    1,727,121       2,542,644  
 
           
 
               
Improvements to concessioned assets, land, machinery, furniture and equipment — net
    3,267,744       3,670,223  
Airport concessions — net
    30,916       22,376  
Rights to use airport facilities — net
    1,717,356       1,671,325  
Noncurrent deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing
    99,001        
Noncurrent deferred income taxes
    1,431,855       673,122  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  Ps. 8,273,993     Ps. 8,579,690  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Other liabilities
  Ps. 258,580     Ps. 335,549  
Seniority premiums
    7,790       8,494  
Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing liability
          20,181  
Deferred income taxes liability
          87,336  
Deferred flat rate business tax liability
          94,482  
 
           
 
Total liabilities
    266,370       546,042  
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    8,007,623       8,033,648  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  Ps. 8,273,993     Ps. 8,579,690  
 
           

 

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    For the years ended  
    December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
 
                       
Net revenues
  Ps. 2,228,184     Ps. 2,319,110     Ps. 2,771,216  
 
                 
 
                       
Cost of services (1)
    (839,369 )     (814,046 )     (862,827 )
General and administrative expenses (1)
    (134,248 )     (106,138 )     (104,019 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (238,306 )     (277,808 )     (317,256 )
Other expenses
    (196,707 )     (258,884 )     (233,624 )
 
                 
 
                       
Operating expenses
    (1,408,630 )     (1,456,876 )     (1,517,726 )
 
                 
 
                       
Operating income
    819,554       862,234       1,253,490  
 
                 
 
                       
Net comprehensive financing income
    23,677       15,786       14,367  
Income tax expense (2)
    (355,293 )     (446,423 )     (1,010,583 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net income
  Ps. 487,938     Ps. 431,597     Ps. 257,274  
 
                 
     
(1)   Exclusive of depreciation and amortization.
 
(2)   Consists of asset tax, tax on dividends income taxes and flat rate business tax.
(A) Airport concessions, rights to use airport facilities and environmental liabilities
Under Mexican FRS, the acquisition costs of the nine airport concessions were allocated to the rights to use the airport facilities and to the environmental liabilities assumed, with the remainder allocated to airport concessions. The amount allocated to the rights to use the airport facilities was based on the results of an independent appraisal. The fair values of the environmental liabilities assumed are based on management’s best estimate of the actual costs to be incurred and reflect the terms of an agreement with the environmental Authorities.
The rights to use the airport facilities, environmental liabilities and the airport concessions were transferred between entities under common control. Under US GAAP, the rights to use the airport facilities and the environmental liabilities were recorded equal to their historical book value at November 1, 1998 (Ps. 2,232,696 and Ps.15,532, respectively) and no value was assigned to the airport concessions from the predecessor.
(B) Terminal 1 building write-off reversal
As described in Note 1 in July 2006, the Company was instructed by the Mexican government to repair the Terminal 1 building and under Mexican FRS, the Company reversed a portion of the 2005 write-off related to certain assets of Terminal 1 which were once again to be placed in service.
Under US GAAP, reversal of losses is not permitted, therefore, the amount reversed and its related depreciation recognized in Mexican FRS was adjusted under US GAAP. That is, under US GAAP the carrying value of these Terminal 1 assets pre-July 2007 decision is zero.

 

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(C) Contract termination fee on leasehold agreements
Under Mexican FRS, the Company capitalized a one-time termination fee on a concessionaire’s leases at the Cancun airport, which is being amortized over the remaining lives of the original lease agreements (see Note 6). Under US GAAP, pursuant to SFAS 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” this fee represents a contract termination cost that should be expensed when the Company terminates the leases. Therefore, charges of Ps. 16,466, Ps.15,893 and Ps.16,526 in the US GAAP reconciliation in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, reflect the reversal of amortization expense recorded under Mexican FRS.
(D) Concession fee on leasehold agreement
During 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to transfer the operation of the restaurant and snack bar located in the Cancun airport to a third party. As result of this agreement, the Company would received 9 semi-annual installments with an interest rate of 15%. During 2006, the Company received anticipated payments of Ps. 4,014 thousands and during 2007, it received the total installments payments required over the term of the leasehold agreement.
Under Mexican FRS the Company recognized the fee as income as collected.
Under US GAAP, pursuant to SFAS No. 13 “Accounting For Leases” this agreement is accounted for as an operating lease; therefore income is recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the agreement.
(E) Tax on dividends
Under Mexican FRS, tax on dividends is recorded as a reduction of retained earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Company paid tax on dividends amounting to Ps. 88,935, Ps. 89,283 and Ps. 88,873, respectively. Under US GAAP, tax on dividends is recorded within a tax expense since in accordance with Mexican Tax Law it can be used to reduce future taxable income in the year incurred and the following two years. Such tax on dividends is subject to a valuation allowance.
Under Mexican FRS, the recovered tax on dividends is recorded as a credit to retained earnings. Under US GAAP, the recovered tax on dividends is recorded as an income tax benefit in the income statement. As of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Company has not recovered any amount of tax on dividends from the tax Authorities.
(F) Deferred Employees’ Statutory Profit Sharing (“PTU”)
Under Mexican FRS, Bulletin D-4 requires the recognition of Employees’ statutory profit sharing for all non-recurring temporary differences generated during the period.
Under US GAAP, employees’ statutory profit sharing is recognized in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 109. Under this method, Employees’ statutory profit sharing is recognized in respect of all temporary differences utilizing a full liability method. In addition, under US GAAP, the benefit or expense recognized during the period is recorded in pre-tax earnings.

 

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The Company calculates profit sharing liabilities as 10% of its net taxable income. In calculating the net taxable income for profit sharing purposes, through December 31, 2004, the Company deducted net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards. The application of NOL carryforwards can result in a deferred profit sharing asset for a given period instead of a profit sharing liability.
On May 3, 2005, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in a plenary session relating to four cases that NOL carryforwards could not be deducted when calculating net taxable income for profit sharing liability purposes. In light of these decisions, the Company’s Management decided not to include the NOL carryforwards in the calculation of its profit sharing liability.
The deferred PTU tax adjustment represents the cumulative impact of the differences in accounting relating to the USGAAP adjustments described in A), B), C) and D) above, and the difference in presenting the effects of inflation.
The effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred Employees’ statutory profit sharing assets, after considering the impact of US GAAP adjustments, as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2007  
Deferred PTU asset:
               
Fixed assets
  Ps. 97,910     Ps.  
Other
    15,901       12,484  
Less: Valuation allowance
    (12,953 )     (1,474 )
 
           
 
               
 
    100,858       11,010  
 
               
Deferred PTU liability:
               
Fixed assets
  Ps.     Ps. (27,028 )
Other
    (1,857 )     (4,163 )
 
           
 
               
Net deferred PTU asset (liability) under US GAAP
    99,001       (20,181 )
 
               
Net deferred PTU tax liability under Mexican FRS
    38,907       (37,496 )
 
           
 
               
Net deferred PTU US GAAP adjustments
  Ps. 137,908     Ps. 17,315  
 
           

 

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(G) Deferred income taxes
Accounting for income taxes in accordance with Bulletin D-4 is similar to accounting for income taxes in accordance with US GAAP, SFAS No. 109 (“SFAS 109”), “Accounting for Income Taxes”.
Bulletin D-4 requires that the change in net deferred income taxes during the period resulting from inflation on monetary deferred tax assets and liabilities be recorded against the gain or loss on monetary position. For US GAAP purposes, the Company applied the guidance in EITF 93-9, “Application of FASB Statement No. 109 in Foreign Financial Statements Restated for General Price-Level Changes” and consequently, the deferred tax expense is calculated comparing beginning and ending deferred tax balances on a constant currency basis (i.e. December 31, 2007 constant pesos). The monetary gain related to deferred income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 amounted to Ps.881, Ps. 1,940 and Ps.486, respectively which have been reflected in the deferred tax line item for US GAAP purposes.
The deferred income tax adjustments required to reconcile stockholders’ equity and net income under Mexican FRS to US GAAP as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, represents the cumulative impact of the differences in accounting relating to the US GAAP adjustments described in A), B), C) and D) above and the difference in presenting the effects of inflation.

 

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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred asset tax and liabilities, after considering the impact of US GAAP adjustments, at December 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:
                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007  
 
Current deferred income asset tax:
               
Accrued liabilities
  Ps. 23,992     Ps. 23,436  
Prepaids and other current assets
    6,966        
 
           
 
    30,958       23,436  
 
               
Less: Current valuation allowance
    (2,911 )     (17,903 )
 
           
Current deferred asset tax
    28,047       5,533  
 
               
Current deferred income tax liability:
               
Inventories
    (3,290 )     (3,171 )
Prepaids and other current assets
          (5,717 )
 
           
Current deferred tax liability
    (3,290 )     (8,888 )
 
           
 
               
Net current deferred income asset tax (liability)
  Ps. 24,757     Ps. (3,355 )
 
               
Noncurrent deferred income asset tax:
               
 
               
Tax paid on dividends
  Ps. 89,283     Ps. 88,873  
Tax loss carryforwards
    736,007       756,050  
Fixed assets
    289,503       11,520  
 
           
 
               
 
    1,114,793       856,443  
Less: Noncurrent valuation allowance
    (276,173 )     (675,235 )
 
           
 
               
Noncurrent deferred asset tax
    838,620       181,208  
 
               
Noncurrent deferred income tax liability:
               
Fixed assets
          (75,679 )
Other deferred assets
    (1,837 )     (2,769 )
 
           
 
               
Non current deferred tax liability
    (1,837 )     (78,448 )
 
           
 
               
Net noncurrent deferred asset tax
    836,783       102,760  
 
           
 
               
Total net deferred asset tax
    861,540       99,405  
Recoverable asset tax
    595,072       491,914  
 
           
 
               
Net deferred income asset tax under US GAAP
    1,456,612       591,319  
 
           
 
               
Net deferred income tax liability under Mexican FRS
    898,502       1,100,979  
 
           
 
               
Net deferred income tax US GAAP adjustments to the net deferred income tax liability
  Ps. 2,355,114     Ps. 1,692,298  
 
           

 

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Based on the history of cumulative tax losses in recent years and the coming expiration of some airports, the Company has recognized a valuation allowance for those airports that based on the projections, are not expected to generate taxable income in future periods when deductible temporary differences reverse or loss carriforwards remain available under Mexican tax law.
(H) Deferred flat rate business tax
On October 1, 2007, the Mexican Government enacted the new Flat Rate Business Tax (“Impuesto Empresarial a Tasa Unica” or “IETU”). This law became effective as of January 1, 2008. The law introduces a flat rate, which replaces Mexico’s asset tax and is applied along with Mexico’s regular income tax. Mexican companies will be required to pay the greater of the IETU or the income tax. IETU is calculated by applying a tax rate of 16.5% in 2008, 17.0% in 2009 and 17.5% thereafter. The US GAAP adjustment represents the cumulative impact of the differences in accounting relating to the US GAAP adjustments described in A), B), C) and D) above and the difference In presenting the effects of inflation.
The effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred IETU, after considering the impact of the US GAAP adjustments as of December 2007 are as follows:
         
    As of December 31,  
    2007  
 
       
Deferred IETU tax asset:
       
 
       
Accrued liabilities
  Ps. 3,502  
 
       
Deferred IETU liability:
       
 
       
Fixed assets (acquired between 1998 and 2007)
  Ps. (93,083 )
 
       
Other
    (1,399 )
 
     
 
    (94,482 )
 
       
Net deferred IETU tax liability under US GAAP
  Ps. (90,980 )
 
       
Net deferred IETU tax liability under Mexican FRS
    ( 489,141 )
 
     
 
       
Net deferred IETU US GAAP adjustments
  Ps. 398,161  
 
     

 

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(I) Cash and marketable securities
Under Mexican FRS, temporary investments and marketable securities, expected to be held less than one year, are considered to be cash equivalents.
Under US GAAP, temporary investments and marketable securities with original maturities greater than 90 days are considered to be short-term investments and, accordingly, are shown separately from cash in the balance sheet and cash flow statement.
(J) Restructure, contract termination fees and loss on natural disaster
Under Mexican FRS, restructure costs, certain contract termination fees and loss on natural disaster were charged against the results of operations as a non-ordinary item. Under US GAAP, restructure costs, contract termination fees and loss from natural disaster would be considered an operating expense. These charges have been reclassified as an operating expense in the US GAAP condensed consolidated income statement.
(K) Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Mexican FRS Bulletin B-12, “Statements of Changes in Financial Position” (“Bulletin B-12”), specifies the appropriate presentation of the statement of changes in financial position. Under Bulletin B-12, the sources and uses of resources are determined based upon differences between beginning and ending consolidated financial statement balances in constant pesos. Under US GAAP, a statement of cash flows is required, which presents only cash movements and excludes non-cash items.

 

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Presented below are statements of cash flows of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, prepared after considering the impact of US GAAP adjustments. The cash flow statements present nominal cash flows during the periods, adjusted to December 31, 2007, purchasing power.
                         
    For the years ended  
    December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007  
Operating activities:
                       
Net income under US GAAP
  Ps. 487,938     Ps. 431,597     Ps. 257,274  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
                       
Loss from monetary position
    68,724       91,642       92,950  
Asset tax, tax on dividends and deferred income taxes
    355,292       446,423       919,603  
Deferred employees’ statutory profit sharing
    260,273       153,754       119,185  
Deferred flat rate business tax
                    90,980  
Depreciation and amortization
    238,306       277,808       317,255  
Other provisions
    197,118       62,245       63,127  
Terminal 1 Building write off
    59,343              
Restoration cost for natural disasters
    108,540       62,296       2,385  
Insurance proceeds
    (163,998 )     (3,633 )      
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Trade receivables
    72,070       (75,461 )     (43,874 )
Recoverable taxes and other current assets
    (218,520 )     (182,670 )     (198,045 )
Trade accounts payable
    11,817       (16,291 )     23,209  
Accrued expenses and other payables
    (176,354 )     (165,277 )     82,292  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows provided by operating activities
    1,300,549       1,082,433       1,726,341  
 
                 
 
                       
Investing activities:
                       
Short-term investments
    (416,891 )     (354,112 )     409,012  
Purchases of short — term investments
    129,851       402,772       (51,062 )
Proceeds from short — term investments
                       
Purchase of other rights and machinery furniture and equipment
    (643,649 )     (1,034,232 )     (722,200 )
Insurance proceeds
    116,494       51,137        
Restorations payments
    (58,550 )     (94,352 )      
 
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (872,745 )     (1,028,787 )     (364,250 )
 
                 
 
                       
Financing activities:
                       
Payments of tax on dividends
    (88,935 )     (89,283 )     (88,873 )
Payment of dividends
    (207,507 )     (218,582 )     (231,249 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows used in financing activities
    (296,442 )     (307,865 )     (320,122 )
 
                 
 
                       
Effects of inflation on cash and cash equivalents
    (34,259 )     (45,157 )     (31,151 )
 
                 
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    97,103       (299,376 )     1,010,818  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    1,062,130       1,159,233       859,857  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  Ps. 1,159,233     Ps. 859,857     Ps. 1,870,675  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental cash disclosures:
                       
Asset tax and tax paid on dividends
  Ps. 235,523     Ps. 219,625     Ps. 170,760  
 
                 

 

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(L) Recently Issued Accounting Standards
The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the adoption of the following recently issued accounting standars will have on its financial position, result of operations and disclosures.
In December 2007, the FASB published SFAS No. 160 “Non Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” - an amendment of ARB No. 51. This statement addresses the reporting of minority interests in the results of the parent and provides direction for the recording of such interests in the financial statements. It also provides guidance for the recording of various transactions related to the minority interests, as well as certain disclosure requirements.
SFAS No. 160 will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods after December 15, 2008, earlier adoption is prohibited and shall be applied prospectively.
In December 2007, the FASB published SFAS No. 141-R “Business Combinations", which replaces SFAS No. 141. This statement improves the reporting of information about a business combination and its effects. This statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer will recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquisition. Also, the statement determines the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and finally, determines the disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.
SFAS No 141-R will be effective for all business combinations with an acquisition date on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period after December 15, 2008, earlier adoption is prohibited.
In February 2007 the FASB published SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial liabilities.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.

 

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This Statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. This statement does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. This Statement does not establish requirements for recognizing and measuring dividend income, interest income, or interest expense, and does not eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards, including requirements for disclosures about fair value measurements included in SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements", and SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments". SFAS No. 159 will be effective for all fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
In September 2006 the FASB published SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements", which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 establishes a common definition of fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 was to be effective for financial statements issued in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. On February 6, 2008, the FASB issued a position paper that partially defers SFAS No. 157 for one year relating to non-financial assets and liabilities, except those items disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.
On March 19, 2008 the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” This new standard requires enhanced disclosures for derivative instruments, including those used in hedging activities. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged.
C.P.A. Adolfo Castro Rivas
Chief Financial and Strategic Planning Officer
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.

 

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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
         
  Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Adolfo Castro Rivas  
    Name:   Adolfo Castro Rivas   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
Dated: June 20, 2008

 

 


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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
4.6
  Amendment, dated January 1, 2008 to the Technical Assistance and Transfer of Technology Agreement among the Company, Grupo Servicios Aeroportuarios del Sureste, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cancun, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Cozumel, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Huatulco, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Merida, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Minatitlan, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Oaxaca, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Tapachula, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V., Aeropuerto de Villahermosa, S.A. de C.V., Copenhagen Airports, Fernando Gerardo Chico Pardo and ITA.
 
   
12.1
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
12.2
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
13.1
  Certifications of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.